HANOI • Vietnam destroyed a huge stockpile of ivory and rhino horn yesterday, urging the public to stop consuming illegal wildlife products driving several species towards extinction.

The ivory and rhino horn trade is officially banned in Vietnam, but its use in traditional medicine and for decoration remains widespread, especially among the communist country's growing elite.

It is also a popular transit point for African ivory and rhino horn destined for neighbouring China, the main market for products fuelling the illicit and lucrative trade.

More than two tonnes of ivory and 70kg of rhino horn were crushed and burnt on the outskirts of Hanoi as armed guards protected the more than 30 crates of horns, tusks and bones being destroyed.

"The government is committed to combating the illegal wildlife trade and another message is that the government and Vietnamese people are not allowed to use the wildlife products that come from illegal trade," said Mr Vuong Tien Manh, deputy director of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Rapacious appetites for horns and tusks in parts of Asia have affected elephant and rhino populations in much of Africa, where poaching is rampant. "Elephants are disappearing in certain areas and rhinos have almost disappeared, so it is important to show the willingness of the whole world to fight against poaching," Mozambique's Ambassador to Vietnam Gamaliel Munguambe said at the event.

Conservationists have urged Hanoi to crack down on smugglers. "Vietnam is doing so much in terms of educating the public, trying to reduce demand, increasing the number of seizures - it's a lot of positive news here, but there are some holes," said Ms Teresa Telecky, director of wildlife at Humane Society International.

Yesterday's event came ahead of a major international wildlife conference in Hanoi opening on Thursday that will be attended by Britain's Prince William, who has championed animal conservation.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE