This week, Humane World for Animals released alarming results of an undercover investigation at more than 60 locations in Pennsylvania. Ivory from elephants and other animals, including hippos and whales, was found for sale across the state, totaling 383 ivory items discovered during the investigation.
Humane World for Animals investigated online auctions and marketplace sales occurring from January 2025 to March 2025, as well as physical stores across 27 Pennsylvania counties in March 2025. Eighteen counties had sellers with ivory or other wildlife products for sale.
The total value of the items found was nearly $38,000, with prices ranging from $5 to $1,150. Ivory items for sale included earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, and other pieces of jewelry, figurines, tusk and tooth carvings, cutlery sets, game pieces, cigarette holders, letter openers, and an array of other household and personal items. The investigators also found the taxidermized head, neck, and shoulders of a giraffe for sale for $6,000.
“Our findings are alarming,” said Whitney Teamus, senior director of investigations at Humane World for Animals. “The number of ivory items identified exceeds what we’ve seen in our previous investigations over the last several years, including in Connecticut and Florida. The labeling of ivory was also disturbingly unreliable with some vendors uncertain of the material they were selling while others appear to be intentionally mislabeling items as bone. The main consistency was that no federal documentation or state permit was offered or provided for any ivory when asked.”
Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania state director for Humane World for Animals, said: “Our investigation shows the depth and breadth of ivory and other animal parts for sale across our state. Pennsylvanians should not be contributing to the cruel and senseless global trade of animal parts. Lawmakers are doing the right thing by prioritizing this critical issue.”
Laws governing the sale of wildlife products are complicated. Under federal law, products of endangered and threatened species, such as elephant ivory and rhino horn, generally cannot be imported, exported or sold across state lines, with some limited exceptions. Under Pennsylvania state law, products of endangered and threatened species, such as elephant ivory and rhino horn, generally cannot be sold in the state without a permit. However, gaps remain that could be addressed by changes to Pennsylvania law.
Pennsylvania Representative Leanne Krueger (D-161) has introduced a bill (HB 994) that, if passed, would limit in-state sales of a broader list of imperiled species, including species like giraffes and hippos not currently protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. As this investigation shows, many vendors in Pennsylvania sell elephant ivory in spite of existing state-level prohibitions. The proposed bill would provide needed clarity by expressly prohibiting commerce in elephant ivory throughout the state.
HB 994 passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 25 to 1 on June 2nd.
Representative Krueger said, “Other states have already passed laws to combat wildlife trafficking, and it’s time for Pennsylvania to do the same. We have a responsibility to ensure Pennsylvania residents are not supporting poaching and trafficking purposefully or unwittingly. My bill outlines clear consequences for anyone who participates in the trade of protected wildlife parts, whether that person is the seller or buyer.”
Elephants are being slaughtered at an alarming rate for their ivory. These beautiful, intelligent beings are being reduced to trinkets and carvings. Despite global bans and rising awareness, illegal ivory continues to find its way into markets, even here in the U.S. If we don’t act with greater urgency and stronger enforcement, we risk losing these majestic species forever. The time to speak out, push for tougher laws, and demand accountability is now before it’s too late.
