U.S. wildlife authorities say they will destroy six metric tons of illegal elephant ivory seized by customs agents.
Whole tusks, carvings and other ivory material held in storage in the western state of Colorado will be crushed next month.
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said the rising demand for ivory is fueling the horrific slaughter of African elephants, and it threatens the remaining elephant population.
Jewell said the United States will work aggressively with global law enforcement agencies to prosecute criminals who traffic in ivory.
The ivory trade and elephant poaching continues despite a global ban on ivory in 1990.
Whole tusks, carvings and other ivory material held in storage in the western state of Colorado will be crushed next month.
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said the rising demand for ivory is fueling the horrific slaughter of African elephants, and it threatens the remaining elephant population.
Jewell said the United States will work aggressively with global law enforcement agencies to prosecute criminals who traffic in ivory.
The ivory trade and elephant poaching continues despite a global ban on ivory in 1990.
