The illegal ivory trade is devastating the elephant population in parts of Africa. A record 23 tonnes of tusks were seized last year, which equals the slaughter of around 2,500 elephants.
Tonight's Dateline at 9.30pm on SBS ONE will broadcast a special, international investigation – starting in the jungles and plains of central Africa, where the battle between poachers and the authorities is becoming increasingly violent.
With the trade being driven by rising demand for ivory in China – which has seen prices increase fourfold in just a year – Dateline will show hidden camera video of the ivory being sold illegally in Africa – and then track illegal shipments as they make their way to Asia.
The undercover report comes as elephant populations in some African countries are now verging on total collapse.
See this special report by the BBC's Rageh Omaar on Dateline tonight at 9.30pm on SBS ONE, and read more now on the Dateline website.
