Reuters 4 Apr 19;
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore has seized 12.9 tonnes of pangolin scales found in a shipping container destined for Vietnam, the biggest seizure of its kind globally in five years, authorities said on Thursday.
The scales of pangolin, the world’s most poached animal, were found on Wednesday packed in 230 bags in the container along with 177 kg (390 lb) of elephant ivory.
“The shipment was declared to contain frozen beef and was on the way from Nigeria to Vietnam,” Singapore Customs and the National Parks Board said, estimating the total value of the animal parts at more than $38 million.
Pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters, are critically endangered. They are coveted for their meat — considered a delicacy — and scales used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat aliments from cancer to arthritis.
Wednesday’s seizure was the largest single haul of scales globally in five years and estimated to have come from 17,000 pangolins, the parks board said.
About 100,000 pangolins are poached from the wild each year, with all eight species in Africa, and especially Asia, now under threat, according to conservation group WildAid.
In February, Hong Kong customs uncovered a massive endangered species smuggling operation from Africa, seizing millions of dollars worth of pangolin scales and ivory tusks.
Conservation groups say Singapore is a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade. The city-state is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and says it is committed to the global effort to curb the illegal wildlife trade.
World record haul of pangolin scales worth $52 million seized from container at Pasir Panjang
Vanessa Liu Straits Times 4 Apr 19;
SINGAPORE - In the biggest single haul in the world in recent years, the authorities on Wednesday (April 3) seized 12.9 tonnes of pangolin scales worth $52.3 million from a container at Pasir Panjang Export Inspection Station.
The scales originated from Nigeria and were bound for Vietnam. They were found packed in 230 bags among packets of frozen beef, and declared to contain "frozen beef".
Along with the pangolin scales, 177kg of cut up and carved elephant ivory worth $120,000 were also seized during the inspection.
Singapore Customs and the National Parks Board (NParks), which staged the joint operation that led to the haul, said the scales are likely from 17,000 pangolins, taking into account the weight of the various species.
The four species native to Africa are the Giant Ground Pangolin (smutsia gigantea), the Black Bellied Tree Pangolin (phataginus tetradactyla), the Ground Pangolin (smutsia temminckii) and the White Bellied Tree Pangolin (phataginus tricuspis).
The previous biggest haul on record was in China in 2017, where nearly 12 tonnes of scales were seized.
NParks said it intercepted shipping of pangolin scales in Singapore in 2015 and 2016 as well.
The pangolin is believed to be the world's most trafficked mammal.
Its scales are in high demand in Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine, despite there being no medical benefit from their use.
Its meat is also considered a delicacy in some countries.
Singapore is a signatory of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).
Under local laws - the Endangered Species (Import & Export) Act - the penalty for the illegal import, export and re-export of wildlife is a fine of up to $500,000 and may include two years' imprisonment.
NParks said investigations are ongoing. It added that the scales will be disposed of by incineration after investigations are completed so that they will “not be in the market”.
Nearly 13 tonnes of pangolin scales worth S$52 million seized in Singapore
Fann Sim Channel NewsAsia 4 Apr 19;
SINGAPORE: An illegal shipment carrying nearly 13 tonnes of pangolin scales, worth S$52.3 million, was intercepted and seized by Singapore authorities on Wednesday (Apr 3).
It was the largest seizure of pangolin scales globally in five years, said the Singapore Customs and National Parks Board (NParks). Around 17,000 pangolins were killed to make up the shipment.
The shipment was also carrying 177kg of cut up and carved elephant ivory, worth US$88,500 (S$120,000), said Singapore Customs and NParks in a news release on Thursday.
"That's heartbreaking from the conservation point of view because pangolin scales are just made of keratin - the same material as your hair - so scientifically there is no basis for its purported cure for illnesses," said Dr Adrian Loo, group director for wildlife management at NParks.
The haul, which was en route from Nigeria to Vietnam, was discovered in a 40-footer container, packed with frozen beef, at the Pasir Panjang Export Inspection Station. It was declared to contain only frozen beef.
The seizure was based on information received by Singapore Customs.
The scales come from four pangolin species that are native to Africa, namely the White-Bellied Tree Pangolin, Black-Bellied Tree Pangolin, Temminck’s Ground Pangolin and Giant Ground Pangolin. All four species are considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Both pangolins and elephants are protected species and international trade in elephant ivory and pangolins are not allowed. They are poached and traded for ornamental and bogus medicinal uses.
This is the third time Singapore has intercepted the illegal trade of pangolin scales. The last two cases were in 2015 and 2016. It is also the ninth time that a shipment of elephant ivory has been seized.
Under the Endangered Species (Import & Export) Act, the maximum penalty for illegal import, export and re-export of wildlife is a fine of up to S$500,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
The same penalties apply to transit or transhipment of illegal wildlife species, including their parts and derivatives.
The scales and ivory pieces will be destroyed following the seizure. Investigations are ongoing, said NParks.
Source: CNA/cy
