“WASHINGTON — The United States Fish and Wildlife Service will destroy six tons of illegal African elephant ivory next week that it has been stockpiling since the ’80s, officials said on Tuesday.

Blaming increased demand for a devastating rise in poaching, largely by organized crime syndicates, members of a task force created by President Obama told reporters in a briefing at the National Press Building that they wanted to send a message of zero tolerance and reduce the appeal of ivory, rhinoceros horns and other illicit animal products. “

 Source : The New York Times

Author : Emmarie Huetteman

To read full article : http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/06/us/in-a-message-to-poachers-us-to-destroy-its-ivory.html?hpw&rref=science&_r=0