PBS: Ivory tusks are off 'Antiques Roadshow'

LOS ANGELES, CA -- PBS says "Antiques Roadshow" is dropping appraisals of ivory tusks.

The tusks won't be shown in new episodes or in segments drawn from previously aired shows, PBS said Wednesday.

The popular public TV series features a wide variety of items brought in for professional assessment, including of their market value.

The Wildlife Conservation Society lauded the decision as an important step in ensuring elephant ivory tusks and their "assumed monetary value" are not glorified on TV.

Ivory poaching is decimating the ranks of Africa's endangered elephants, the group said.

PBS said antique items that include ivory elements, such as musical instruments, will continue to be appraised to inform "Antiques Roadshow" viewers about such objects and what PBS called "the larger issues at hand."