Toss the Tusk

Join the Phoenix Zoo, in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, for Toss the Tusk: An Ivory Surrender Event at the Phoenix Zoo on Friday, September 27.

This is the second year the AZA has organized a series of ivory surrender events that encourage public participation in the fight to save elephants from wildlife trafficking. As a participant this year, the Phoenix Zoo will have a station at the Zoo’s entrance from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. where will collect any form of ivory that you are willing to dispose of. Elephant ivory may exist in uncarved form, as whole or partial tusks, or may be carved. Common examples of carved elephant ivory products include jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, or cufflinks; household goods like napkin rings, ashtrays, and cutlery handles; or art pieces like carved figurines.

While much of the illegal ivory trade comes from African elephants, Asian elephants like Indu have also declined both in numbers and geographic range.  Today, Asian elephants can only be found in 13 countries, and often in smaller, isolated populations. Poaching of Asian elephants for ivory remains a threat in some countries.

Ivory surrendered at Toss The Tusk events will be collected by representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and safely transported  to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Wildlife Property Repository in Colorado, where it will be stored securely. Once there, ivory can support conservation work benefiting elephants through education, training and research.