Staff members of Kenya Wildlife Service stack elephant tusks into pyres at the burning site of the Nairobi National Park in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, April 20, 2016. (Xinhua/John Okoyo)

NAIROBI, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's decision to ban ivory trade by the end of 2021 that was announced on Wednesday marked a critical milestone in the protection of Africa's iconic wildlife species like elephants, campaigners have said.

The Nairobi-based African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) said in a statement that Hong Kong deserves accolades for outlawing commercial sale of ivory in the next three years.

"We applaud Hong Kong for making the right decision for African elephants," Kaddu Sebunya, AWF President said in a statement.

Hong Kong lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously agreed to outlaw ivory trade by 2021 and announced tough penalties for individuals involved in trafficking of ivory and other endangered species.

Philip Muruthi, the Chief Scientist at AWF commended Hong Kong for deciding to close the ivory market saying it will boost survival of Africa's iconic land mammals.

"The decision will not only help secure the species but also allow elephant range states to benefit from conservation," said Muruthi.