Elephants never forget, should art museums remember too? Historic ivory collections as ambassadors for conservation education

• DOI: 10.1007/s10531-019-01735-6
• Publication Date: 2019-03-25T12:03:14Z
• Authors: Caroline Good; Peter Tyrrell; Zhaomin Zhou; David W. Macdonald
• Keywords: Demographics; Relevance

Ivory in art museum collections has been a contentious topic during recent years, with some parties calling for its destruction. But analysis of media reactions to the parallel strategy burning modern ivory stockpiles may offer insight likely effectiveness that course action museums: such burns have seemingly fallen short sending clear and enduring message intended demographics—be this consumers, dealers, poachers or traffickers. This prompts us suggest an alternative destruction ivory: museums take on challenge responsibility imparting powerful conservation messages. article explores potential artworks as educational ambassadors, well international reach target demographics key consumer regions South East Asia, ethical obligations participate education. In placing useful lens these currently controversial artworks, would be endowed new critical relevance ambassadors contemporary issues, simultaneously offering justification preservation display historic many are presently reluctant exhibit. highlighting vehicle education we highlight need heightened holistic collaboration across disciplines ensure messages diverse audiences novel impactful ways.