Hong Kong's seized ivory stockpile an elephant-sized headache

Seized ivory tusks are displayed during a Hong Kong Customs press conference on January 4, 2013.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Hong Kong has amassed a stockpile of tons of seized illegal ivory
• Last year, authorities seized more than six tons of ivory destined for China
• Conservation groups say demand in China is driving the illegal trade
• Illegal trade in ivory has more than doubled since 2007, a report says

 -- Hong Kong is fast becoming the Fort Knox of ivory.

As one of the chief gateways to mainland China -- the world's largest market for ivory, according to animal welfare groups -- Hong Kong has seized tons of what Chinese collectors call "white gold."

In the last six months alone, more than six tons of elephant ivory worth close to $HK50 million ($US6.5 million) was confiscated in Hong Kong. In one shipment alone, Hong Kong authorities seized 3.8 tons of tusks, equivalent to one-sixth of the total illegal ivory confiscated worldwide last year.

Where this ivory is stored in Hong Kong is a closely guarded secret.

"For security reasons, we are not in a position to disclose further details of the keeping premises and the seized items," a spokesman for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department