NEW YORK (AP) - The latest on a New York ceremony to crush nearly 2 tons of trinkets, statues and jewelry crafted from seized ivory (all times local):
11:45 a.m.
Nearly 2 tons of trinkets, statues and jewelry crafted from the tusks of some 100 slaughtered elephants are being destroyed in a rock crusher in New York City’s Central Park.
The pieces include some exquisitely carved artworks. They were being crushed Thursday to demonstrate the state’s commitment to smashing the illegal ivory trade.
Officials say $8.5 million worth of ivory artifacts seized from dealers in the last three years will ride a conveyor into the crusher.
The articles include more than $4.5 million worth of items seized from Metropolitan Fine Arts & Antiques in New York City in 2015. The store’s owners pleaded guilty to illegally selling ivory last week and agreed to donate $200,000 to nonprofits that protect elephants.
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12:35 a.m.
Nearly 2 tons of trinkets, statues and jewelry crafted from the tusks of at least 100 slaughtered elephants are heading for a rock crusher in New York City’s Central Park.
The event Thursday is designed to demonstrate the state’s commitment to smashing the illegal ivory trade.
Officials say $8.5 million worth of ivory artifacts seized from dealers in the last three years will ride a conveyor into the crusher
The articles include more than $4.5 million worth seized from Metropolitan Fine Arts & Antiques in New York City in 2015. The store’s owners pleaded guilty to illegally selling ivory last week and agreed to donate $200,000 to nonprofits that protect elephants.
Thursday’s event is sponsored by state environmental officials, the Wildlife Conservation Society and Tiffany & Co.
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