Third Place
Brent Stirton
Getty Images
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"GOD'S IVORY"
CEBU, PHILIPPINES, 19 JANUARY 2012: A wealthy, devout Filipino man amongst his religious icon collection which is carved almost entirely out of Ivory. This collection has both new and old pieces, most of which were carved within the last 5 years. There is a collective of wealthy collectors in the Philippines who both search out and commision new Ivory carving work, thus sustaining a trade which allows for the continuing and growing market for new ivory. This has an inevitable effect on threatened elephant populations worldwide, accelerating demand for a commodity which is growing in value as the elephant moves closer to extinction.
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