Singapore seizes pangolin scales, ivory worth $48 million

Singapore authorities have seized 11.9 tonnes of pangolin scales and 8.8 tonnes of elephant ivory from a container being shipped to Vietnam.

Authorities estimated that the tusks, valued at $12.9 million, came from nearly 300 African elephants. About 11.9 tonnes of pangolin scales valued at $35.7 million were also seized. The scales were believed to have been taken from 2,000 Giant Ground Pangolins, the BBC reported.

The National Parks Board, Singapore Customs and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said in a statement on Tuesday it was the city-state's third major seizure of pangolin scales this year and its largest seizure of elephant ivory to date.

Authorities discovered the animal parts on Sunday after they inspected a shipment from the Democratic Republic of Congo that was passing through Singapore on its way to Vietnam. The containers were falsely declared to contain timber.

The seized pangolin scales and elephant ivory will be destroyed.

It is not the first time such illegal goods have been found in Singapore. The country has seized a total of 37.5 tonnes of pangolin scales since April this year.

Pangolins are solitary animals that have an armour of scales, which are coveted for "cultural and ethno-medicinal purposes," according to the statement. They are also hunted for their meat.

Singapore previously seized 177 kg of ivory in April. Ivory is used for ornaments and in traditional medicine in Asia. Pangolin scales are also in high demand in Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine.

In Africa, poachers kill tens of thousands of elephants a year for their tusks. "Around 55 African elephants are killed for their ivory a day, their tusks turned into carvings and trinkets," World Wildlife Federation Chief Executive Tanya Steele said in a statement.

( With inputs from IANS )