Fresno Chaffee Zoo inviting guests to throw out ivory jewelry

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno Chaffee Zoo wants guests to throw out ivory jewelry as it teams up with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for the Toss the Tusk event. According to Zoo officials, this two-day event focuses on the illegal trade of ivory, saving wildlife – and will offer a no-questions-asked place to surrender animal products like ivory jewelry. According to the World Wildlife Fund, at least 20,000 African elephants are illegally killed for their ivory tusks. Additionally, the rhino horn trade is the fourth-largest illegal wildlife trade flow in terms of value. The event will feature talks, an ivory collection and a screening of the story of how California banned the sale of ivory and rhino tusks in California. The event lasts from Friday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Surrendering animal products will be free for guests, while the rest of the event will be included with general admission.