[wanabidii] Newsletter: US to Crush Illegal Ivory

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	June 2015

US Government to Crush Ivory Trade

The United States government will crush a 1-ton stockpile of illegal ivory in the middle of New York City’s Times Square. This momentous event, hosted by African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and other leading conservation groups, shows a renewed commitment on behalf of the U.S. government to fight wildlife trafficking and protect Africa’s vanishing elephants. This is the second time the U.S. will crush a stockpile of smuggled ivory. In November 2013, the government destroyed nearly 6 tons of confiscated ivory to send the “clear message that the United States will not tolerate ivory trafficking and the toll it is taking on elephant populations,” according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The upcoming crush brings with it hope that with the support of the U.S. and other countries that have destroyed their stockpiles, Africa’s elephants will have a brighter future. Help us crush the ivory trade and protect elephants—commit to never buy or condone the sale or purchase of ivory products.

> Pledge to crush the trade

China Plans to Phase Out Ivory

China, the world’s largest ivory-consuming nation, indicated that it might phase out its domestic ivory trade during its May 29 ivory crush. This announcement comes on the heels of the government’s initiative informing Chinese air travelers to never buy ivory abroad, as well as the one-year ban on imported ivory instituted in Feb. Conservationists hope these positive steps will lead to an outright ivory ban.

> Learn about China’s turnaround

Our Say No campaign raises awareness about the perils of wildlife trafficking. A small monthly gift can make a big difference to help us protect Africa’s vanishing species.

With women at the forefront of the 25th African Union Summit, AWF takes a look at women’s role in conservation

> Learn more about women in conservation

As the World Economic Forum looks toward Africa’s future, AWF CEO questions how wildlife can survive on the modernizing continent

> Hear his vision for a modern Africa

The Ethiopian wolf, Africa’s most endangered carnivore, is getting a helping hand from AWF’s community work

> Find out how

Kenyan authorities arrest an ivory trafficking tycoon over a 3.7-ton ivory haul valued at more than Sh579 million (US$6 million)

> Learn about the arrest

Take the Pledge

Stand with the U.S. government and take our pledge to never buy or condone ivory products.

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Fun Fact

Wildebeest boast the largest mammal migration in the world—migrating as much as 1,000 miles each year to find food.

At AWF, we believe that protecting Africa's wildlife and wild landscapes is the key to the future prosperity of Africa and its people. For over 50 years, we have made it our work to help ensure that Africa's wild resources endure.