logo
Undercover investigation exposes illegal ivory sales in Pennsylvania

Undercover investigation exposes illegal ivory sales in Pennsylvania

CBS News05-06-2025
A major investigation is exposing the illegal sale of ivory in Pennsylvania, including in the Pittsburgh area, according to the Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States.
The agency was in Harrisburg with lawmakers on Monday and said its findings show that it's time to end wildlife trafficking in Pennsylvania.
Illicit ivory sales in Pennsylvania
Images captured during a Humane World for Animals' undercover investigation show some of the 383 pieces of ivory for sale across Pennsylvania.
"The items showed signs of originating from elephants, whales, warthog, hippos, walruses and mammoths, or were ivory of underdetermined origin," said Whitney Teamus, senior director of investigations for Humane World for Animals.
The investigators also found a giraffe's taxidermied head, neck and shoulders on sale for $6,000.
Of the 63 stores and online retailers investigated, Humane World for Animals said 37 had ivory or other wildlife products for sale, including four stores in Allegheny County and two in Butler County.
Teamus said in total, they found jewelry, figurines, letter openers and other trinkets worth $38,000.
"Not one of the sellers had or could provide any information or documentation to verify the age or origin of the ivory items. Without such documentation, it is impossible to know whether those items were imported in violation of federal law. Some items identified as ivory were labeled as bone. This is often a misleading sales tactic we and others have witnessed in other investigations to obscure the trade of these items," Teamus said.
Investigators said their findings show the ivory trade is thriving in Pennsylvania, adding that something needs to be done to stop it.
"Iconic species across the planet continue to face the threat of extinction due to demand for their body parts," said Gabe Wigtil, program director of wildlife trafficking for Humane World for Animals.
"If there are no markets left for such products, there is no incentive for poachers to continue to kill animals for their skin, teeth, tusks, bones, or anything else," Wigtil added.
Pennsylvania lawmakers move to protect animals
Several state representatives are hoping House Bill 994, which prohibits wildlife trafficking in Pennsylvania, will become law. It would ban the sale and purchase of parts from at-risk animals, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, and many more.
"House Bill 994 would combat wildlife poaching and trafficking by ensuring that Pennsylvania residents are not supporting the illegal wildlife trade," said state Rep. Leanne Krueger, primary sponsor of HB 994.
"We have the opportunity now to make change, hearing the groundbreaking results of your investigation and thinking of all the animals we can save," said state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Animal Protection Caucus.
"This greatly deserves our attention before it's too late for these animals and they disappear in our lifetime," said state Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
The bill passed a House committee on Monday, and the state representatives expect it to be on the House floor soon. The bill includes a long list of at-risk animals and civil penalties on those who sell and buy ivory and other animal products.
Rep. Krueger's memo to other lawmakers reads in part,
"Specifically, my legislation will prohibit the purchase, sale, offer for sale, or possession with the intent to sell covered at-risk animal parts or products with certain exceptions. My legislation will levy civil penalties for the following:
A first violation with a value under $250 for a covered animal part or product will subject to fine not to exceed $5,000.
A first violation with a value over $250 for a covered animal part or product will be subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000.
A second or subsequent violation with a value under $250 for a covered animal part or product will subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000.
A second or subsequent violation with a value over $250 for a covered animal part or product will be subject to a fine not exceeding $20,000."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

No officers injured, suspect hospitalized after shooting in Chester, DA says
No officers injured, suspect hospitalized after shooting in Chester, DA says

CBS News

timean hour ago

  • CBS News

No officers injured, suspect hospitalized after shooting in Chester, DA says

Law enforcement officers fired in self-defense when they shot a suspect Wednesday night in Chester, Pennsylvania, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said in a news release. Officers responded to a crime scene on the 100 block of West 21st Street around 11:30 p.m. when the shooting occurred, Stollsteimer said. The suspect hit by police gunfire was injured and is receiving treatment at a local hospital, and will face charges in the incident later. It's not clear what led police to that block initially, and the suspect's identity has not been released. Detectives in the Special Investigations Unit within Stollsteimer's office are investigating the shooting independently. "I will await the full investigation, but I can say preliminarily that officers involved were fired upon and justifiably returned fire in their own defense. Thankfully, by the Grace of God, no police officers were injured in this incident," Stollsteimer said in an Burton contributed to this report.

CVS unit must pay $290 million in drug whistleblower lawsuit, judge rules
CVS unit must pay $290 million in drug whistleblower lawsuit, judge rules

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

CVS unit must pay $290 million in drug whistleblower lawsuit, judge rules

A federal judge ordered CVS Health's pharmacy benefit manager unit to pay $289.9 million in damages and penalties after it overcharged Medicare for prescription drugs. In a Tuesday decision, Chief Judge Mitchell Goldberg in Philadelphia federal court tripled to $285 million the damages he had ordered CVS Caremark to pay in June, citing the federal False Claims Act. He added a $4.87 million civil fine. Goldberg rejected CVS' request to pay less, saying that while CVS Caremark was liable for only two years of overbilling, evidence at trial "made clear that the fraud was financially motivated, not the result of some innocent or mistaken belief." CVS, based in Woonsocket, said on Wednesday it plans to appeal. Last month, a Manhattan federal judge ordered CVS' Omnicare unit to pay $948.8 million in a separate whistleblower lawsuit alleging fraudulent billing. CVS plans to appeal that judgment. Goldberg presided in March over a non-jury trial in the whistleblower case brought by Sarah Behnke, a former head actuary for Medicare Part D at Aetna. She accused CVS Caremark of having caused health insurers such as Aetna to submit inflated claims since 2010 to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), while pharmacies such as Rite Aid and Walgreens WBA.O were paid less. CVS argued that the original $95 million in damages was substantial, and punitive damages should be limited to $95 million. But the judge said CVS Caremark's fraud not only financially harmed the government, but diminished public confidence in it. "CMS relies on companies like Caremark to truthfully and accurately report Part D drug prices," he wrote. "Caremark's conduct broke CMS's trust, and as a result, the public's trust in CMS." Behnke sued in 2014. CVS bought Aetna four years later. The False Claims Act lets whistleblowers sue on behalf of the government and share in recoveries, typically 15% to 30%. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Judge: CVS Caremark overcharged Medicare for prescription drugs Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Pittsburgh police investigating series of reported sexual assaults on North Side that may be related
Pittsburgh police investigating series of reported sexual assaults on North Side that may be related

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Pittsburgh police investigating series of reported sexual assaults on North Side that may be related

Pittsburgh police are investigating a series of reported sexual assaults that they think may be connected. Police say the incidents have occurred on the North Side during early morning hours, with the suspect described as a smaller white man driving a white pickup truck. Investigators think he could be a repeat offender. Anyone with information about a similar incident is asked to call the Special Victims Unit at 412-323-7800. The department is increasing patrols in the affected areas and 'dedicating additional resources' to this investigation, adding that investigators are 'working tirelessly' to identify and apprehend the suspect. In the meantime, they urge residents to take extra precautions, like traveling in groups, remaining alert in public spaces and reporting anything suspicious to 911. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store