Ivory ban loophole means elephant body parts can still be traded in UK

According to official data, the UK imported 325 non-ivory elephant parts over the past 10 years. Photograph: Charmaine Noronha/AP

Elephant skins, feet, ears and tails will continue to be traded in the UK even after next month’s ivory ban comes into force, it has been revealed.

The government has been praised for its Ivory Act 2018, effective from next month, making the purchase and sale of elephant tusks punishable by fines of up to £250,000 or up to five years in prison.