A Look Back at the U.S. Ivory Crush

On Thursday, November 14, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service destroyed some six tons of elephant ivory seized over the years by its special agents and wildlife inspectors in connection with violations of U.S. wildlife laws and treaties.

More than 30,000 elephants are killed each year for the illegal ivory trade. Elephant poaching is at its highest level in decades and it continues to rise. These animals are being slaughtered across Africa to meet an insatiable global demand for ivory.