The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), AZA’s Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently announced public events to help draw attention to the elephant poaching crisis and illegal trade of elephant ivory in the United States.
Second to habitat loss, illegal ivory trade is one of the largest threats to the survival of elephants. In an effort to raise awareness about the devastating effects of elephant poaching, a series of ivory surrender events will occur across the United States to encourage the public to join the fight to help save elephants from wildlife trafficking.
Attendees can bring their unwanted ivory to be properly disposed of. Items collected will go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Wildlife Property Repository office in Commerce City, Colorado and will be used primarily to educate the public about the ivory trade and animal conversation.
The events will take place at three AZA-accredited zoos:
- March 3: San Diego Safari Park
- April 14: Dallas Zoo
- August 11: Saint Louis Zoo
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park in Escondido, California will be the first to kick off the series, and admission is not necessary to participate. Read more information on their event here.
If you are not local to these areas, you can contribute items directly to the National Wildlife Property Repository at any time! Learn more on their website.