U.S. Will Destroy Its Inventory of Elephant Ivory as Irish National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Trafficking of Endangered Rhinoceros Horns

                On November 5, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that, on November 14, it will destroy some six tons of elephant ivory seized over the years by its special agents and wildlife inspectors in connection with violations of U.S. wildlife laws and treaties.[1]  Also on November 5, 2013, Michael Slattery Jr., 25, an Irish national, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act in relation to illegal rhinoceros horn trafficking.[2]