Is Synthetic Ivory the Answer?

Can Fake Tusks Help Save Real Animals?

Synthetic ivory – a man-made material that looks and feels like real tusk – is sparking big conservation questions. Could it stop poaching and protect elephants, or might it make ivory seem more acceptable again?

We've put together the facts below – and we're also running a quick poll to hear what you think. You'll find it at the end of the post!

What Is Synthetic Ivory?

It's a man-made alternative to natural ivory, which is found in the tusks and teeth of animals like elephants, walruses, and even narwhals. Synthetic ivory is designed to look and feel like the real thing – but without harming wildlife.

Made from materials like milk proteins, durable plastics or even palm nuts (known as vegetable ivory), it's used in everything from jewellery and piano keys to restoring antiques. 

Today, synthetic ivory isn't just a clever invention – it's part of a bigger shift toward cruelty-free materials. Brands are turning to eco-friendly, ethical substitutes, such as Elforyn and imitation ivory resin, to craft knife handles, musical instruments and decorative pieces.

The idea? Beautiful, functional designs that don't endanger a single animal.

Why Tusks Matter – and Why They're Disappearing

Tusks aren’t just impressive, they’re an elephant’s essential survival tool. Elephants use them:

• Dig for hidden water in dry riverbeds
• Strip barkoff trees to feed
• Lift logs and clear paths
• Defend themselves from predators or rivals

And here's a wild bonus: elephant footprints can collect rain and turn into mini watering holes – tiny ecosystems where frogs, insects and other small creatures thrive. Nature loves a multitasker.

But despite international bans, the illegal ivory trade still kills over 20,000 elephants every year.

The effects are devastating. In Sri Lanka, decades of poaching have led to a dramatic genetic shift: fewer than 1 in 10 male elephants there now have tusks. Why? Because poachers targeted the largest, most majestic males – the ones with the most impressive ivory. Over time, fewer tusked males survived to pass on their genes.

The iconic tusk, once a proud symbol of strength and survival, is disappearing among Asian elephants. 

The Case For Synthetic Ivory

Supporters of synthetic ivory say it could:

• Reduce demand for real ivory
• Protect elephants and walruses from poaching
• Help museums and artists ethically replace broken ivory artefacts
• Support a shift toward animal-friendly materials, much like faux fur or plant-based leather
  

The Case Against Synthetic Ivory

But others raise concerns:

• It may make ivory seem fashionable again, even if it’s fake
• It could confuse markets, making illegal ivory harder to trace
• It doesn’t tackle the root issue – why people desire ivory in the first place
• It risks normalising ivory’s look and appeal, undermining years of conservation work
  

What Our Readers Think

We asked the Eco Kids Planet email community:

👇 Cast your vote below to reveal the results!

We'll keep this post updated as more of you weigh in, and may include highlights from reader comments and insights from conservationists in our next update.