Botswana's Ivory Sale The Best - Auctioneer

Auctioneers Botswana conducted the sale in Botswana.Philips says Botswana got the best deal after selling 43.3 tons of ivory for US$ 7 million. "The exchange rate was P57 million on the day. And what did South Africa get? They sold 47 million tons of ivory and got US$6.7 million. We believe we got the best deal for Botswana. We got the best deal per kg," Phillips says.

This contrasts with the government's and independent observers' views that the deal could have been better. Fewer companies than expected took part in the bid, resulting in less competition. In an interview after the sale, Botswana's CITES desk officer, Diana Chimidza, said viewed against the cost of elephant conservation, the sale was disappointing.Chimidza said ivory sales are expected to improve the lives of people in affected areas and should at least be sufficient to cover elephant conservation.