In its largest seizure to date, authorities in Singapore have seized 19,401 pounds (8,800kg) of elephant ivory. They estimate the value of the tusks at $12.9 million and believe they have come from close to 300 African elephants.
Close to 167 pounds of pangolin scales, with a value of $35.7million, were also seized. They believe the scales belonged to approximately 2,000 mammals.
Authorities inspected a shipment from the Democratic Republic of Congo that was on its way to Vietnam via Singapore. Following a tip from China’s customs department, they discovered the animal parts, which were in containers falsely declared to contain timber. The National Parks Board said in a statement:
“Upon inspection, sacks containing pangolin scales and elephant ivory were found in one of the containers.”1
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Both the seized elephant ivory and the pangolin scales will be destroyed.
Since April of this year, Singapore has seized 525 pounds of illegal pangolin scales. The pangolin is believed to be the most widely trafficked mammal in the world. Kim Stengert, chief communications officer for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Singapore, told Reuters:
“Singapore has always been inadvertently implicated in the global ivory trade for two reasons: its global connectivity, as well as the presence of a small domestic market where pre-1990s ivory can be legally sold.”1
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Ivory and Pangolin scales, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine, are in high demand in Asia. Ivory is also sold illegally for ornaments.
The maximum penalty for illegally importing, exporting and re-exporting wildlife is a fine of up to $500,000 and/or two years in prison.
Our hearts ache for these beautiful and innocent animals. Neither the fine nor the prison term seems high enough.
