Conservation group condemned the auction saying the sale could encouragepoaching , citing an increased demand for hippo ivory as a legal substitute after a1990 banon international ivory .

Hippo off-white trade and sales event are modulate under theConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species(CITES ) . A immense majority of teeth come from Tanzania , Zimbabwe , and Malawi .

Some fence the legal patronage could offer a covert up chance to swap on the black market .   The hippo teeth auction could stimulate the same demand aselephant auctionsin 1999 and 2008 . Auctions like this provide cover for illegal swop to be laundered into the effectual market , Alexandra Andersson , wildlife trade doctoral candidate , toldNational Geographic .

Between 2004 and 2014 , Hong Kongreported 66 tonsof hippo teeth for commercial-grade use , but research worker say these numbers only reflect reported deal and there is likely more on the black market place .

An estimated 75 percent of hippo ivory occur from Uganda and Tanzania .

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the hippo as “ vulnerable ”   –   one step aside from “ threaten ” . estimate suggest hippo universe have seen a 7   to 20 percent fall in the last 10   years . A further drop of 30 per centum is expected over the next 30 years , put the creatures   on track for extinction within the next century . Today , no more than 130,000 hippos are come up across the continent .

TheHippopotamus amphibiusis native to only 29 African countries . consider in at 3.5 tons , the 4 - meter - long ( 13 - foot - longsighted ) colossus is herbivorous and lives in swamps . Their only predator are crocodile , lions ( although this rarified ) , and – you guessed it – humans .

Poachers hunt Hippo Regius for their valuable marrow , productive , and ivory . hundred of hippos are hit each year to belittle human - wildlife difference because of expanding human populations trench on their habitat .

Tanzania has a licensing system that allows hunting and gross revenue of hippo dentition collect from wild animals that perish of instinctive causes . purchaser will encounter document of ownership from TAWA , a government authority overseeing sustainable direction of wildlife resource and diversity conservation .

Andersson says accurate numbers for update population of hippo numbers are needed to mold whether they can sustain a patronage in teeth . Then , more funding and resourcefulness should be give to the administration tobattleillegal poaching .

China , the world ’s largest importer and user of elephant tusks , implemented aban on ivory salesearlier this year .