Article updated: 3/5/2013 7:38 AM

Group says Google shopping ads fuel ivory trade

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Cylinders, or Hanko, of wood, ivory and other material are shown at a Japanese signature seal shop in Tokyo. Hanko are used for everything from renting a house to opening a bank account. The stamps are legal and typically inlaid with ivory lettering. A conservation group claims that Google has something in common with illicit ivory traders in China and Thailand: It says the Internet search giant is helping fuel a dramatic surge in ivory demand in Asia that is killing African elephants at record levels.

Associated Press

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A conservation group claims that Google has something in common with illicit ivory traders in China and Thailand: It says the Internet search giant is helping fuel a dramatic surge in ivory demand in Asia that is killing African elephants at record levels. The Environmental Investigation Agency, a conservation advocacy group, said in a statement Tuesday that there are some 10,000 ads on Google Japan's shopping site that promote the sale of ivory.