Cambridgeshire town museum hands over ivory tusks and carvings to international animal charity for destruction

Chatteris Museum has donated a number of pieces of unwanted ivory, including large tusks and carved statues, to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to be put beyond use and help protect elephants.

The museum, which houses artefacts from the ancient market town contacted IFAW about three tusks, weighing 17kg each, and two ivory ornaments in their possession.

The tusks had been inherited by a local resident who did not want to keep them.

Not wanting to keep or display the tusks of slaughtered elephants and in respect of the donor’s wishes, the museum contacted IFAW to destroy them, along with additional pieces of ivory carvings it had in storage. Although IFAW is currently not running a public ivory surrender campaign, it still accepts donations which are passed on to Border Force for destruction.

Ian Mason, museum curator, said: “We knew that we didn’t want to display the ivory at our museum but, like many other institutions, we were unsure of the best way to process unwanted ivory and wanted to make sure the pieces didn’t make their way back on to the market. We contacted IFAW who kindly talked us through the process and we’re extremely pleased to have made a positive contribution to elephant protection.”

The legal ivory trade often provides a smokescreen for more illegal killing of elephants and by donating unwanted ivory IFAW believes members of the public help to protect elephants.

To donate ivory items contact: uk@ifaw.org or call 020 7587 6700.