Nearly 2 Tons Of Seized Ivory To Be Crushed In New York

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — 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.