10 Years of AB 96 in Action: Ivory and Rhino Horn Ban Gave CDFW the Might to Fight Wildlife Trafficking in California, Around the World
In 2016, Assembly Bill 96 banned the sale of ivory and rhino horn in California, strengthening the authority and ability of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to combat illegal wildlife trafficking that threatens global biodiversity and drives demand for the poaching of endangered species. In the decade since, big impacts are being seen in California. In the most populous state in the U.S. and a major hub of international trade, AB 96 goes beyond California’s borders to put an end wildlife trafficking around the world.
“We are setting an example here in California that wildlife trafficking is not something we are going to allow within or across our borders,” said CDFW Director Meghan Hertel. “Other states have and will follow, and it is our hope that when there is no market for threatened or endangered wildlife — animals and plants that should not be commodities, that should not be for sale — will no longer drive the demand for illicit trade of wildlife.
Justice for the World’s Wildlife
Over the past 10 years as a result of AB 96, CDFW wildlife officers have seized over 5,000 pounds of ivory and ivory products, removing them from the illicit market. One investigation led CDFW to a Southern California art gallery where ivory art and sculptures were estimated to value over $1.3 million in the illegal ivory trade.
More than 60 international criminal networks trafficking wildlife have been dismantled by CDFW wildlife officers. CDFW is not only taking on ivory trafficking and the exploitation of elephants, rhinos and other ivory-bearing species but the exploitation of countless species native to California and beyond. Criminal networks found to be trafficking ivory are also often connected to the trafficking of other wildlife or their parts, as well as other convergent criminal activity.
“In California, the fight to stop wildlife trafficking can make a difference on a global scale,” said CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of Law Enforcement Nathaniel Arnold. “I am proud to see California and our wildlife officers playing a big part to stop wildlife trafficking that begins with cruel and senseless poaching. In the big picture, the enforcement we are doing here is protecting the world’s ecosystems and the world we leave for future generations to experience and enjoy.”
In January, a CDFW investigation in Fresno and Madera County resulted in the discovery of an international wildlife trafficking ring and the seizure of hundreds of wildlife parts, including not only elephant ivory, elephant trunks, rhino horn and walrus tusks but also gall bladders, saiga antelope parts, turtle shells and kestrel falcon derivatives. In addition, the suspects were linked to illegal firearm possession and an illegal rooster-fighting ring.
The 10-Year Mark
CDFW is marking the 10-year anniversary of AB 96 with a virtual premiere of “Not for Sale: 10 Years of AB 96 and California’s Fight to Stop Wildlife Trafficking,” a CDFW-produced documentary short film that tells the story of this landmark legislation. CNRA Secretary Wade Crowfoot and CDFW Director Meghan Hertel will host this special virtual event on Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. Join the Zoom event online.
CDFW partnered with Oakland Zoo and Fresno Chaffee Zoo this year to host Toss the Tusk events that brought awareness to the need to stop wildlife trafficking by inviting the public to surrender ivory and other wildlife-based products to CDFW. Surrendering ivory and wildlife-based products eliminates the potential for the items to enter the illicit market. These events resulted in the forfeiture of over 300 pieces of ivory or other animal parts.
Trafficked wildlife parts or products relinquished at Toss the Tusk events or seized by CDFW wildlife officers as part of enforcement operations are taken to CDFW’s Wildlife Forensics Laboratory and Special Operations unit where they are used to assist in investigations or for educational programs. DNA analysis of elephant ivory can identify geographic origin and poaching hotspots, which helps CDFW with informed data sharing around the world.
Earlier this year CDFW also brought hundreds of seized wildlife products — elephant, walrus and mammoth tusk; narwhal and rhino horn; elephant feet and trunks; whale teeth; animal pelts and organs — to the state capitol in an effort to educate legislators about the extent of wildlife trafficking taking place in California.
Landmark Legislation
Authored by then-State Assembly Leader Toni Atkins and introduced to the legislature in 2015, AB 96 was named for the 96 elephants that were estimated to have been killed each day for their ivory. The bill went into action in 2016, closing a loophole that allowed for the sale of ivory or rhino horn if imported before 1977, a date of origin that was difficult if not impossible to verify and enforce.
In 2025, California took another step strengthening its abilities to protect wildlife with Assembly Bill 1319, which recognizes and adopts federal and other states’ prohibitions in the sale of wildlife parts and plants. This aids California in supporting our state and federal partners in enforcing wildlife protections.
Thanks to Assembly Bill 1319, California is better prepared to combat the illicit trade of plants and animals protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a global treaty that aims to ensure international trade in wild plants and animals is legal, traceable and biologically sustainable. CDFW wildlife officers are increasingly seeing native and non-native reptiles, tigers, spider monkeys and other vulnerable species moving through the illicit pet trade within California.
Everyone can be CDFW’s eyes and ears on land or water to help stop poaching and wildlife trafficking by reporting wildlife crimes to CDFW. Send a tip by texting “CALTIP,” followed by a space and the message, to 847411 (tip411) or download CDFW’s free CALTIP phone app.
###
Photo caption: CDFW Wildlife Forensic Lab staff display ivory, rhino horn and other seized trafficked wildlife life parts at a Toss the Tusk event Sept. 11, 2026, at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. CDFW photo
Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Nathan Smith, CDFW Law Enforcement Division, (559) 791-5157
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
