LOS ANGELES — California wildlife officers have seized a massive cache of illegal animal parts, including rhino horns, elephant ivory and carved tusks, after uncovering an alleged trafficking operation linked to a Los Angeles County business.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Special Operations Unit (SOU) discovered what appears to be at least nine rhino horns, thousands of pieces of elephant ivory, several large, intricately carved tusks and a sea turtle shell during a recent investigation in Los Angeles County. Officials said all materials will undergo testing and identification at the department’s Wildlife Forensics Lab to confirm their origin.
“California was among the first to take a stand against the ivory trade, and our commitment has not wavered,” said Nathaniel Arnold, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of Law Enforcement. “These operations send a clear message that we will continue to hold accountable those who profit from the destruction of wildlife. The global demand for ivory and rhino horn fuels poaching and organized crime, and California will not serve as a marketplace for these endeavors.”
The case emerged 10 years after Assembly Bill 96, authored by Toni Atkins and signed into law by then-Governor Jerry Brown in October 2015, was enacted. Taking effect in 2016, the law banned the sale of ivory and rhino horn in California, making the state one of the earliest leaders in combating the global wildlife trade.
Since AB 96’s passage, the CDFW said their enforcement teams have worked to dismantle illegal trafficking networks and reduce demand for endangered species products. The CDFW urges the public to help protect wildlife by reporting poaching or trafficking through its CalTIP program at (888) 334-CALTIP (2258) or by submitting anonymous tips via text to TIP411 (847411).
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