The pangolin scales in the latest seizure in Singapore (Photo: AFP/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Singaporean authorities announced on April 10that they had discovered nearly 13 tonnes of pangolin scales, worth about 38million USD, in a shipping container, the second major seizure of theendangered animal product in a week.
In the most recent seizure on April 8, Singaporean customs officials found 12.7tonnes of pangolin scales in 474 bags on a container which was labelled ascarrying seeds usually used to make tea.
They estimated that around 21,000 pangolins were killed to harvest sucha huge quantity. The container started its journey in Nigeria.
On April 3, Singaporean officials seized 12.9 tonnes of pangolin scalesworth some 38.7 million USD from a container which was also sent fromNigeria.
The government of Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance stance on the use ofthe country as a conduit to smuggle endangered species and their parts, underlineda government statement.
Under Singaporean law, those found guilty of the illegal import orexport of wildlife can be fined up to 500,000 SGD (370,000 USD) and jailed forup to two years.
Singapore’s extensive trade links and efficient ports have luredwildlife smugglers who use the country as a transit point to ship exoticcreatures to customers across the world, according to animal welfare activists.–VNA
VNA
