Yes, you read that correctly! This is some of the best news regarding ivory in years. But of course, it has to be faithfully implemented. And other nations need to follow the U.S and China in finally putting a stop to the ivory market. The ban will not take effect unfortunately until 2017. But it is a critical development, and one which we can applaud. "Elly Pepper, a wildlife advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council, which is based in New York, wrote that China’s announcement “may be the biggest sign of hope for elephants since the current poaching crisis began.” Let us hope that this will be the true beginning for saving elephants as well as other endangered species.