The seized mammoth ivory is fossils of extinct species. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Over a ton of smuggled ivory has been seized by customs in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province.

In addition to the ivory, 73kg of woolly rhino horns and 1.11 tons of nephrite jade were also captured during the operation.

This is the largest operation against the mammoth ivory and woolly rhino horn trade within Chinese customs offices in the recent years.

This is the largest operation against the mammoth ivory and woolly rhino horn trade within Chinese customs offices in the recent years. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Both mammoth ivory and woolly rhino horns are fossils of extinct species while nephrite jade is an ornamental stone commonly used in carvings and beads.

China has been leading the world in fighting against the ivory trade. The government promised late last year to completely halt its domestic ivory trade by the end of 2017.

Over a ton of smuggled ivory has been seized by customs in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

The decision has been greeted by environmentalists as offering real hope for an end to the poaching crisis that is wiping out tens of thousands of elephants across Africa.

The seized nephrite jade is an ornamental stone commonly used in carvings and beads. [Photo: Chinanews.com]