China is the largest market . NEW : It 's the first time the government has offered such a reward , John McCain says . NEW : In response to the reward , Colorado wildlife activists destroyed six tons of elephant ivory . NEW : The United States is the second - largest retail market for illegally acquired ivory , after China . Profits from wildlife trafficking are between $ 5 billion to $ 10 billion a year .
NEW : It 's the first time the government has offered such a reward , John McCain says . NEW : In response to the reward , Colorado wildlife activists destroyed six tons of elephant ivory . NEW : The United States is the second - largest retail market for illegally acquired ivory , after China . Profits from wildlife trafficking are between $ 5 billion to $ 10 billion a year .