Mammoth Ivory Hunting in Siberia: Ethical, Environmental, Cultural, and Economic Considerations

Chris Hastings

Masters in Information Science candidate

School of Information Science

46^th Annual CCI Research Symposium

STUDENT RESEARCH STARS

Research Focus & Background

2

My research topic focuses on discovering information repositories documenting the mammoth ivory trade as well as exploring the various dilemmas of it

Background

• 19^th century growth of the Ivory market
• Hunting for elephant alternatives
• Eyeing the polar regions
• Globalization post-USSR

Topics of Interest

• Formal attempts at documentation
• Creating awareness

National Museums Scotland

Research Methods​​

Literature Reviews:

1. Popular Press
2. Independent research organizations

​

3

8/05/20XX

Current Findings

Ethical Considerations

• “Legal” alternative to elephant ivory
• Feeds ivory market w/unsustainable source
• Cultural heritage
• Vast ecological damage
• Severe loss of paleontological data

Environmental Concerns

• Hydraulic mining pollutes nearby waterways
• Exacerbates climate change by melting permafrost

​

​

​

4

8/05/20XX

​

Amos Chapple/RFE/RL

Current Findings, cont.

Economic Impact

• Average wages vs. potential riches
• Create opportunities for otherwise stagnant indigenous ​economies

Documentation

• Informal collaboration between hunters and scientists
• Government-issued licenses

​

​

CONFERENCE PRESENTATION

5

Amos Chapple/RFE/RL

Looking Forward

Pursue additional leads on formal documentation of Ivory Hunting​

Present final research

Tromsø, Norway

June 2024

6