Africa Wild

Enforcing a ban is what remains to be seen..

Singaporean authorities said Wednesday they had discovered nearly 13 tonnes of pangolin scales worth about $38 million in a shipping container, the second major seizure of the creatures’ parts in a week.


Singaporean officials on Monday found 12.7 tonnes of the creatures' scales in 474 bags on a container | © National Parks Board/AFP | Handout

Singapore (AFP) |

Authorities across Southeast Asia are battling to stop the rampant poaching and smuggling of pangolins, the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal, which is sought for use in traditional medicine.

In the latest seizure, Singaporean customs and immigration officials on Monday found 12.7 tonnes of the creatures’ scales in 474 bags on a container which was labelled as carrying seeds usually used to make tea.

They estimated that around 21,000 pangolins were killed to harvest such a huge quantity of scales, according to a government statement.

The container started its journey in Nigeria and was passing through the city-state — a major trading hub — en route to Vietnam, it said.

“The Singapore government adopts a zero-tolerance stance on the use of Singapore as a conduit to smuggle endangered species and their parts,” said the statement.





It is estimated that around 21,000 pangolins were killed to harvest such a huge quantity of scales | © National Parks Board/AFP | Handout

On April 3, officials seized 12.9 tonnes of pangolin scales worth some $38.7 million from a container in Singapore which was also en route to Vietnam from Nigeria.

Under Singaporean law, those found guilty of the illegal import or export of wildlife can be fined up to S$500,000 ($370,000) and jailed for up to two years.

Pangolins, and particularly their scales, are highly prized in China and Vietnam for use in traditional medicine, despite the fact there is no scientific proof of their medical benefits.

Singapore’s extensive trade links and efficient ports have lured wildlife smugglers, who use the country as a transit point to ship exotic creatures to customers worldwide, according to animal welfare activists.


© 2019 AFP

https://lowvelder.co.za/afp/716017/sing ... in-a-week/

African locusts working with Asian locusts.

Terrible

Singapore seizes more pangolin scales in week's 2nd bust

2019-04-12 10:11 - AP

Singapore has seized 14 tons of pangolin scales belonging to around 21 000 endangered mammals in the second such bust in less than a week.

The scales, which were en route from Nigeria to Vietnam, were found in 474 bags in a shipping container on Monday. The National Parks Board, Singapore Customs and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority say the cargo was declared as cassia seeds.

Last Wednesday, officials discovered a record 14.2 tons of pangolin scales hidden among packets of frozen beef. The earlier shipment was also on its way from Nigeria to Vietnam.

The pangolin is said to be the most widely trafficked mammal in the world, and its scales are in high demand in Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine.

https://youtu.be/LJ9uKcjhqkg

With the amount of scales being found you have to wonder how many pangolins are left?

WATCH: Why this unexpected animal is the world's most trafficked

2019-05-07 07:49

https://youtu.be/YmjgRfzpY0A
Why This Unexpected Animal Is The World's Most Trafficked

Wildlife trafficking is the world's second largest black market, and there's one animal that's trafficked more than any other. Cheddar explains how they became the world's most trafficked animal.