ICYMI: Illegal Ivory In Obliterated In Central Park By Enormous Crusher

CENTRAL PARK, NY — Hundreds of people showed up to see nearly two tons of illegally trafficked ivory be crushed Thursday afternoon in Central Park. The ivory was destroyed by an "enormous rock crusher" in the middle of Central Park – and Patch was on the scene to capture it live.

New York State and the Wildlife Conservation Society teamed up to pulverize items such as ivory trinkets, statues, jewelry and tusks in Central Park's Sheep Meadow. Government officials from the local, state and federal levels denounced the illegal ivory trade, which often helps fund international crime syndicates and terror groups.

Editor's note: In case you missed it, here's one of Central Park's best stories from last week.

"The crushing sounds inside Central Park today equal justice for elephants," John Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs of the Wildlife Conservation Society, said Thursday. "The crusher pulverized more than 2 tons of elephant ivory, ensuring that this ivory will never again bring profit to the criminals killing off the world’s elephants."

“By crushing a ton of ivory in the middle of the world’s most famous public park, New Yorkers are sending a message to poachers, traffickers and dealers who try to set up shop right here on our streets: We won’t stand for the slaughter of elephants. Nobody needs an ivory brooch that badly.”

The ivory crushed Thursday morning had a value of $8 million and represented about 100 slain elephants. All the pieces were seized by New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation and the federal government.

Watch it below:

Previously: Watch A Ton Of Illegal Ivory Get Crushed In Central Park

Photo courtesy Wildlife Conservation Society