WCS is pleased to learn that PBS鈥檚 鈥淎ntiques Roadshow鈥� will no longer feature carved ivory tusks on air. In addition, the show has removed past appraisals from the series archive.

Said John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Director of WCS鈥檚 96 Elephants Campaign: 鈥淥n behalf of WCS and all of the 96 Elephants campaign partners, we commend 鈥楢ntiques Roadshow鈥� on their decision to cease appraisals of ivory tusks. It is vital to the survival of this iconic species that we limit the demand of ivory products. These policies are an important step in assuring these items are not glorified on-air and the assumed monetary value is not a factor. We look forward to working with 鈥楢ntiques Roadshow鈥� in the coming months.鈥�

The decision comes as Africa鈥檚 elephants struggle for survival due to ivory poaching. Scientists estimate elephant numbers have plummeted by 76 percent, due largely to the demand for elephant ivory. Poachers slaughtered an estimated 35,000 elephants in 2012 alone.

鈥淎ntiques Roadshow,鈥� produced by WGBH Boston, has worked closely with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to stay up to date on this issue, and now has an open dialogue with WCS.