Flagship Species

Souvenirs and Endangered Species-what to look out for when abroad

Items to avoid (where international trade is prohibited)

These include but are not limited to the following:

Elephant ivory
International trade in ivory is illegal, but ivory carvings and jewellery are still offered to tourists, particularly in Africa and Asia. There are some exceptions to the ban which relate to Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe because they have healthy elephant populations. You should check with Animal Health if you are travelling to one of these countries.

Traditional medicine containing endangered species
Some Chinese medicines claim to contain parts of tigers, rhinos or leopards, for example.

Sea turtle shells
The shells are still made into jewellery, combs and sunglasses frames, which are sold in the Caribbean and other tropical beach resorts.

Products made from big cats
Anything made from or containing jaguars, leopards or tigers is banned (teeth, claws and jaws are most commonly used).

Shahtoosh
This is a type of shawl woven from the hair of the Tibetan antelope or Chiru, which is killed for its coat.

Bushmeat
This is the meat of any wild animal that is hunted for food outside the European Union (EU). As well as harming endangered species, bushmeat can pose a health hazard to both humans and livestock.

African elephant

Mahogany-CITES Conference

Visit ARCHIVE for the latest status of the world's animals and plants

NEWS: Gibson Guitars Fined $US350,000 Over Imported Ebony-Rolling Stone Article

Gibson was accused of violating the Lacey Act, which has since May 2008 outlawed importing wood harvested and illegally exported under another's country's laws. In August 2011, federal authorities raided a Gibson factory in Nashville, Tennessee, seeking wood imported from India. Two years earlier, armed agents stormed a Nashville Gibson factory over imported wood from Madagascar.

The new EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) which is similar to the Lacey Act mentioned above is designed to ensure illegally-logged timber and wood-based products will not be traded in Ireland.