Ivory Crush in Times Square

State and federal environmental official will crush one ton of confiscated ivory in New York's Times Square tomorrow. It's to raise awareness about the elephant poaching crisis around the world. 

 

The Wildlife Conservation Society reports an average of 96 African elephants are poached each day. The Society's John Calvelli says terrorist organizations play a huge role in wildlife trafficking. But he says they're not the only ones involved. Calvelli says Americans who purchase ivory products need to think twice about their actions. 

 

"They have to realize that when people are buying a piece of ivory, they are destroying an elephant, and supporting the destabilization of this continent."

 

Calvelli says officials will crush ivory recovered during a series of busts around the northeast in recent years. Both federal and state lawmakers are working on legislation to tighten restrictions on the sale of ivory.