The Ivory Game 2016

The documentary delves into the harrowing issue of elephant poaching in Africa, intricately linked to the ivory trade flourishing in China and Hong Kong. Directed by Keif Davidson and Richard Ladkani, the film captures the relentless efforts of their team over a 16-month undercover operation, exposing the grim reality of elephant killings for their valuable tusks, which are often viewed as status symbols in parts of Asia. Alarmingly, in the last five years alone, 150,000 elephants have been slaughtered for their ivory, leading to vast regions in Africa being devoid of these majestic creatures. The remaining populations are primarily concentrated in western and southern Africa.

The documentary illustrates the stark contrast between the illicit black market and the desperate efforts by conservationists. It takes the audience from Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia to China, Hong Kong, and even a brief stop in London. The opening scene unfolds in Tanzania, where Elisifa Ngowi, the head of intelligence for the Task Force, and his dedicated officers conduct a nighttime sting operation to apprehend Shetani, a notorious poacher responsible for the deaths of 10,000 elephants. This man hires hitmen to kill elephants and smuggles vast quantities of ivory—some collections weighing as much as 3000 kg. Poachers earn approximately $7 per kilogram, while the ivory fetches an astounding $3000 per kilogram in the Chinese market. It’s noted that African elephant populations have plummeted from 100,000 to 50,000 in just five years.

Ngowi diligently pursues intelligence regarding Shetani’s operations, sharing critical information with Zambian wildlife authorities. The team, led by Georgia, employs aerial surveys to monitor elephant populations in the Zambezi region, uncovering local ivory sellers. Meanwhile, in Kenya, Craig Millar, the head of security at the Big Life Foundation, tirelessly works to prevent poaching before it occurs, often clashing with local communities whose crops are raided by elephants. One poignant scene showcases Craig discovering a family of elephants that have been brutally slain, emphasizing the grim reality that even females and calves are at risk for their tusks.

As the narrative unfolds, we also learn about the integral role of electric fences in safeguarding elephant habitats, which Ian Craig has championed for decades to facilitate conservation efforts. The film highlights a collaboration between Craig and Ian as they track a migrating herd towards Somalia, a region notorious for acute poaching.

In a parallel narrative, Andrea Crosta, the investigative head for Wildleaks, and journalist Hongxiang Huang launch a precarious undercover operation in China to unveil the rampant illegal trade of ivory. They navigate the treacherous landscape of the ivory market, exposing dealers who boast about circumventing regulations and illicitly importing ivory from Africa. The Chinese government’s allowance of 5 tons of ivory to licensed dealers complicates the situation, blurring the lines between legal and illegal transactions.

The urgency of the documentary crescendos as Huang and Crosta confront the perilous realities of their investigation, which sees them gathering damning evidence against significant players in the ivory trade. With the stakes high, they strive to present their findings to authorities, aiming for an ivory trade ban that could ultimately save elephants from impending extinction.

As the film culminates, it reveals shocking statistics: without immediate action from governments worldwide, elephants may face extinction within the next 15 years. The documentary not only exposes a pressing global crisis but also serves as a clarion call for conservation, urging viewers to understand the profound implications of the ivory trade on the survival of one of Earth’s most iconic species.