The US plans to crush nearly six tonnes of seized ivory next month as part of a new push to combat wildlife poaching and trafficking worldwide.
The ivory "crush" is part of a series of upcoming coordinated actions by the Obama administration that will spotlight the rising tide of poaching and trafficking that is threatening wild populations of elephants, rhinoceros and other iconic species - and strengthen global efforts to crack down on these criminal activities.
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said that the US Fish and Wildlife Service plans to crush and destroy approximately six tons of elephant ivory seized by its special agents and wildlife inspectors for violations of wildlife laws.
The Service plans to destroy the confiscated ivory, which is being held in secure storage at the agency's National Wildlife Property Repository near Denver, Colorado, on October 8.
The material will include raw and carved whole tusks, smaller carvings, and other elephant ivory items abandoned or forfeited to the Service as a result of its criminal investigations in the US and overseas, as well as its anti- smuggling efforts at ports of entry over the past 25 years.
"Rising demand for ivory is fuelling a renewed and horrific slaughter of elephants in Africa, threatening remaining populations across the continent," Jewell said at an event held at the White House this week.
"We will continue to work aggressively with the Departments of Justice and State, as well as with international law enforcement agencies, to disrupt and prosecute criminals who traffic in ivory, and we encourage other nations to join us in that effort," Jewell said.
In addition, the US is stepping up efforts to train game officers, customs officials and police across Africa, Latin America and Asia, and to provide equipment and other logistical and technical support to build the capacity of range countries to combat trafficking and poaching within their borders, a press release said.
US Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe said the ongoing slaughter of elephants and other species is not just an issue in Africa.
"The United States is part of the problem, because much of the world's trade in wild animal and plant species - both legal and illegal - is driven by US consumers or passes through our ports on the way to other nations. We have to be part of the solution," Ashe said.
"The species and habitats of our planet support billions of people and drive the world's economy. We all have a stake in ensuring their survival," Ashe said.
