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<p>The trade in ivory draws global attention and much of this is focussed on elephant ivory. Here we focus on the international trade in, and carving of, ivory, as well as bones, from walrus (<i>Odobenus rosmarus</i>), particularly concerning the back-and-forth trade between the USA and Indonesia. The trade in walrus parts is regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In the USA walrus is a protected species, but native Alaskans are allowed to carve, use and trade their parts. We report on a large-scale commercial trade where raw, uncarved walrus ivory and bones are (illegally) exported to the Indonesian island of Bali where highly skilled craftsmen carve this into native American motifs (e.g., cowboys and Indians, polar bears, migrating salmon) as well as Hawaiian fishhooks (Makau; only observed after the release of the Disney motion picture Moana). These carved items are re-exported and marketed as being carved in the USA by native Alaskan or Hawaiian craftsmen. Our observations and discussions in Indonesia (50 surveys between 2013 and 2025) and CITES records show this USA-Indonesia-USA trade has been ongoing since the 1990s. Export, re-export and import data from the USA and Indonesia do not align, suggesting a substantial illegal international trade in especially walrus ivory, in the order of 4 to 40 times the legal trade. Addressing this requires increased vigilance in Indonesia, better liaison between CITES Management Authorities in the USA and Indonesia, and a closer look by the US authorities into the sale of ‘indigenously-carved’ walrus ivory.</p>

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Native American ivory carving in Bali and the international back-and-forth trade in walrus ivory and bones between Indonesia and the USA

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月23日

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  • Vincent Nijman,
  • Paige Kei Lee,
  • Abdullah Abdullah,
  • I Nyoman Aji Duranegara Payuse,
  • Or Oi Ching,
  • Erly Sintya,
  • Desak Ketut Tristiana Sukmadewi,
  • Jessica Chavez

摘要

The trade in ivory draws global attention and much of this is focussed on elephant ivory. Here we focus on the international trade in, and carving of, ivory, as well as bones, from walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), particularly concerning the back-and-forth trade between the USA and Indonesia. The trade in walrus parts is regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In the USA walrus is a protected species, but native Alaskans are allowed to carve, use and trade their parts. We report on a large-scale commercial trade where raw, uncarved walrus ivory and bones are (illegally) exported to the Indonesian island of Bali where highly skilled craftsmen carve this into native American motifs (e.g., cowboys and Indians, polar bears, migrating salmon) as well as Hawaiian fishhooks (Makau; only observed after the release of the Disney motion picture Moana). These carved items are re-exported and marketed as being carved in the USA by native Alaskan or Hawaiian craftsmen. Our observations and discussions in Indonesia (50 surveys between 2013 and 2025) and CITES records show this USA-Indonesia-USA trade has been ongoing since the 1990s. Export, re-export and import data from the USA and Indonesia do not align, suggesting a substantial illegal international trade in especially walrus ivory, in the order of 4 to 40 times the legal trade. Addressing this requires increased vigilance in Indonesia, better liaison between CITES Management Authorities in the USA and Indonesia, and a closer look by the US authorities into the sale of ‘indigenously-carved’ walrus ivory.