Imports of ivory from hippos, orcas and walruses to be banned in UK

Ministers to close loophole in 2018 Ivory Act that means animals other than elephants can be targeted

Ivory imports from hippopotamuses, orcas and walruses will be banned under new legislation to protect the endangered species from poaching.

The Ivory Act, passed in 2018, targeted materials from elephants, but a loophole meant that animals other than elephants, including hippos, were being targeted for their ivory.