There has been a massive public response to the government’s proposed ban on ivory sales – with over 60,000 responses to the public consultation, making it one of Defra’s most popular ever.

Of the responses analysed so far the overwhelming majority support a ban.

30,000 people responded to ivory consultation ban during Christmas week and more than 60,000 in total responded to the government’s proposed ban on ivory sales to help bring an end to elephant poaching.

On average 55 elephants are killed each day and 20,000 a year slaughtered for their tusks.

Plans announced by Environment Secretary Michael Gove to impose a ban on ivory sales will protect elephants and help combat poaching by removing opportunities for criminals to trade illegally-poached ivory.

Unlike previous proposals, these plans cover items of all ages, not only those created after a certain date.

Mr Gove said: "It is imperative we halt the decline in the elephant population to protect these wonderful animals for future generations. Ivory should never be seen as a commodity for financial gain or a status symbol and we are ready to take radical and robust action to protect one of the world’s most iconic and treasured species.

"It’s incredibly heartening that so many people have contributed to our consultation. The response underlines that we are a nation which cares for wildlife. In 2018 the UK must be front and centre of global efforts to end this insidious trade."

Tanya Steele, WWF CEO said: "The scale of the public response – including over 60,000 who signed a WWF petition – shows just how strongly the British public feel about the need to end this mindless slaughter.

"The UK government must now act quickly. On average 55 elephants a day are killed. Every day we wait is a day too long."

The number of elephants has declined by almost a third in the last decade and around 20,000 a year are still being slaughtered due to the global demand for ivory.

The decline of elephants would also deprive some of the poorest countries in the world of their valuable natural capital, affecting economic growth and sustainable development.

As profits become ever greater, the illegal wildlife trade has become a transnational organised enterprise, estimated to be worth between £7 and £17 billion a year.

The largest market for ivory, China, has introduced a ban on all trading and processing activities which came in to force at the end of 2017.

The government will publish a response to the consultation shortly.