In June 2013, five tons of confiscated elephant tusks were crushed by the Philippine government as part of an international campaign to raise awareness against the illegal trade of what is referred to as “blood ivory.” The crushed tusks were later incinerated at a crematorium and the ashes were set aside for safekeeping.
“This year, the Philippines is to build an elephant monument from the ashes of seized tusks it destroyed,” reports Agence France-Presse on InterAksyon.com.
According to Josie de Leon, chief of the Department of Environment and Naural Resources (DENR) wildlife division. The ashes of the crushed tusks will be mixed with concrete to build a giant sculpture of a mother elephant protecting her calf. The sculpture, which will stand about 13 feet tall, will be located at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center. It’s set to be unveiled later this year.
Photo by Ramon F. Velasquez (WikiCommons)
