Watch: an elephant died... for this?

See what a real ivory appraisal ought to look like. Then tell PBS's Antiques Roadshow: Stop glorifying ivory – it's killing elephants.

Dear Friend of Wildlife, Family heirlooms, personal trinkets, garage sale treasures – an appraisal on Antiques Roadshow carries with it the excitement of a potentially big pay day! But here's a spoiler alert – when the show appraises ivory carvings we already know what they are worth: dead elephants. Want to know what other kinds of horrors are built into the value of an ivory carving? See for yourself, then sign our letter to ask Antiques Roadshow to end their on-air ivory appraisals. Whether a piece of ivory is antique or not, demand for it enlarges the existing loophole for illegal ivory. What's worse, even some of the best antique appraisers can't tell the difference between an antique ivory carving and ivory from a recently killed elephant. Take a look at what on-air appraisals of ivory should really be like and then sign onto our letter to Antiques Roadshow to end on-air ivory appraisals once and for all. The people who buy and sell ivory antiques are not bad people – nor are the many excellent appraisers on Antiques Roadshow. They just don't understand that there's a direct line between their ivory items and the black market trade that is decimating elephant populations in Africa. The more people who know about the damage done by condoning ivory sales, the better a chance we have to put an end to this crisis. Thanks for speaking out against ivory appraisals – together, we can save Africa's elephants. Sincerely, John F. Calvelli Executive Vice President for Public Affairs Wildlife Conservation Society Director, 96 Elephants

WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature.

©2014 Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York 10460, 718-220-5100 Terms of Use/Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe Powered by Convio