When the Chinese president and African leaders meet this week to bolster economic ties, the elephant in the room will be the trade in ivory — and conservationists want the issue on the table. China is the major consumer of illegal elephant ivory, and demand for tusks is threatening Africa's elephant populations with extinction. "You cannot discuss development without talking about the natural resources and primarily wildlife," said Philip Muruthi, of the African Wildlife Foundation, adding that China consumes three-quarters of the ivory poached in Africa.
Elephants: the forgotten giants at Africa-China summit
