Six Tons of Elephant Ivory Crushed by US in Historic Event

WWF calls for US moratorium on trading of elephant ivory

tusks before ivory crush

There remain considerable challenges to enforcement of US laws despite a ban on international commercial trade in ivory since 1989 through CITES. State laws vary widely and a federal loophole allows ivory owned before the ban to be legally sold. Smugglers take advantage of the system to sell poached ivory as carvings, jewelry and other trinkets. Even many US online auction and fashion websites are being used as shop fronts for illegal ivory.

Last year, wildlife criminals slaughtered more than 30,000 elephants for their tusks. Their ruthless pursuit of ivory also endangered the lives of frontline conservationists like rangers, many of whom are not able to fight back against poachers armed with military grade weapons. Wildlife mafia are intimidating local communities, exploiting the poor, and corrupting law enforcement efforts. Their actions are now fuelling regional conflicts, undermining the safety and security of entire regions.

Seeking a solution

Behind every piece of ivory is a dead elephant. Any purchases or sales of ivory only fuel the current poaching crisis.

“We need to end the demand that is fueling ivory trafficking and get serious now about saving elephants,” said Carter Roberts, President and CEO of WWF-US. “A US moratorium on all trade of ivory products must follow.”

WWF urges the US and other countries fuelling the elephant poaching crisis to take all available measures to disrupt and prosecute those who prey on and profit from the slaughter of these animals.

WWF and its partners are calling on the US government to crack down on wildlife trafficking and enact a moratorium on domestic ivory trade. This push is part of WWF’s global campaign to stop wildlife crime and save endangered species such as elephants, tigers and rhinos.


NOTE: This story refers specifically to elephant ivory. While many people outside the Arctic often associate ivory with elephants, the term is also used for items that come from other species, and has different stipulations. Learn more