Ivory is a hard, white material derived primarily from the teeth and tusks of certain mammals. It has been valued for centuries because it is dense, smooth, carvable, and durable. Chemically, ivory is composed mainly of dentine, the same material that forms the interior of human teeth. What distinguishes ivory from ordinary bone is its structure, density, and patterning.
Although most commonly associated with elephants, ivory has historically come from several species.
Different types of ivory
Elephant Ivory
Elephant tusks are elongated upper incisors that grow continuously throughout an elephant’s life. Elephant ivory is characterised by distinctive cross-hatched patterns known as Schreger lines, which are unique to elephants and help distinguish it from other types of ivory. Its relatively soft texture and fine grain make it particularly suitable for carving, contributing to its historical demand.
Narwhal Ivory
Narwhals possess a long spiral tusk, which is actually an extended tooth. Narwhal ivory lacks Schreger lines and has a more uniform internal structure. Historically, it was traded in Europe and once mistaken for “unicorn horn.”
Hippopotamus Ivory
Hippopotamus ivory comes from large canine and incisor teeth. It is harder and denser than elephant ivory and does not display Schreger lines. Because of its hardness, it was sometimes used for items requiring durability, such as tool handles.
Other Sources
Ivory has also been obtained from walruses, warthogs, and certain extinct species such as mammoths. Mammoth ivory, preserved in permafrost, is still legally traded in some regions because it does not come from living animals.
Why elephant ivory became so valuable
Elephant ivory became the most commercially important form because of its size, workability, and availability. Elephant tusks are large and solid, providing substantial carving material in a single piece. The presence of Schreger lines made it recognisable and desirable in international markets.
Its historical uses ranged from piano keys and billiard balls to jewellery, ornaments, religious objects, and carved artworks. Over time, ivory became associated with status and luxury, further increasing demand.
A brief history of the ivory trade
The ivory trade dates back thousands of years. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, demand intensified during the colonial period, when ivory was exported in large quantities from Africa to Europe, Asia, and North America. Industrial uses expanded the market further.
By the late 20th century, escalating poaching led to severe declines in elephant populations across Africa. In response, international trade in elephant ivory was largely banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1989.
Recent decades have seen additional measures aimed at reducing demand and closing domestic ivory markets in several countries. Improved law enforcement, international cooperation, and shifts in public awareness have contributed to a reduction in large-scale ivory trafficking compared to peak crisis years in the early 2010s. However, illegal trade has not been eliminated, and enforcement remains critical.
The impact on elephants
Ivory demand has had profound consequences for African elephants. Poaching selectively targets individuals with the largest tusks, disproportionately removing older males and, in some areas, large-tusked females. This selective pressurecan alter population structure, reduce genetic diversity, and disrupt social systems.
Elephants are long-lived, slow-reproducing animals. Removing mature individuals has lasting impacts because population recovery is gradual. In some regions, intense poaching has resulted in declines of more than 50 percent over short periods.
Super Tuskers: An extreme of natural variation
Among elephants, Super Tuskers represent an exceptional expression of natural tusk development. These are typically older bulls with exceptionally long and thick tusks, often reaching or nearly reaching the ground. Their tusks reflect decades of growth and survival.
Super Tuskers are rare today. Their survival is significant not only because of their size, but because they represent genetic potential that has been heavily targeted in the past. Protecting such individuals helps preserve the natural variation within elephant populations.
Supporting Super Tuskers in Tsavo
The Tsavo Conservation Area remains one of the few landscapes where multiple Super Tuskers still persist. Tsavo Trust works within this ecosystem to support elephant conservation through aerial monitoring, ground patrols, habitat protection, and collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service and local communities.
Long-term monitoring of key individuals allows for rapid response to threats and improved understanding of movement patterns and habitat use. These efforts have contributed to increased security for elephants in the region and the continued presence of some of Africa’s last remaining Super Tuskers.
Beyond direct elephant protection, Tsavo Trust implements multi-faceted programmes that address the root causes of wildlife decline and support landscape resilience. These include community-based conservation initiatives, human–wildlife conflict mitigation, water resource management, and education and livelihoods support for communities neighbouring protected areas.
Final thoughts
Ivory is a biological material derived from teeth and tusks, valued historically for its physical properties but associated with significant ecological cost. While it has come from several species, elephant ivory became the most commercially important due to its size and workability.
The global response to the ivory crisis has reduced large-scale legal trade, yet the legacy of demand continues to shape elephant populations. Protecting elephants, particularly rare individuals such as Super Tuskers, requires sustained conservation effort and landscape-level management.
Understanding what ivory is, and the impact its trade has had, remains essential to ensuring that elephants continue to persist in ecosystems such as Tsavo.