Crushing ivory signals action to protect wildlife

The country is to step up its efforts to combat the illegal trade in endangered species and wildlife products, a minister said on Friday as he witnessed the destruction of 662 kilograms of confiscated ivory in Beijing.

The ivory was crushed in front of diplomats and reporters at the Beijing Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Shunyi district as a demonstration of the stance the country is taking against the trade, the State Forestry Administration said.

Engraved tusks and carved ivory artworks were fed into a large crushing machine that sent clouds of dust and powder into the air.