Several high-level Chinese ivory traffickers have been arrested by Tanzanian authorities in a crackdown on elephant poaching, according to NGO Elephant Action League.

Yang Feng Glan. Photo: Malaika Pictures.

Yang Feng Glan, 66, nicknamed the “Queen of Ivory” was tracked down by the National and Transnational Serious Crimes Investigation Unit (NTSCIU) over the course of a year, the non-profit said. Having reportedly confessed, Yang – originally from Beijing – faces 20-30 years behind bars if convicted.

Photo: Wikicommons.

Andrea Crosta, co-founder of the Elephant Action League and WildLeaks said that it was the news they had all been waiting for.

“Finally, a high profile Chinese trafficker is in jail. Hopefully she can lead us to other major traffickers and corrupt government officials. We must put an end to the time of the untouchables if we want to save the elephant”.

Tanzania lost around 85,000 elephants to poaching between 2009 and 2014 according to a recent elephant census in the East African country.