Hong Kong Customs Seizes $9.8 Million Suspected Pangolin Scales (with Photos)

SATURDAY NIGHT CRIME: HONG KONG CUSTOMS OFFICALS SEIZE 4,000KG OF PANGOLIN SCALES

On 23 June 2016, officials from the Hong Kong Customs seized 4,000kg of pangolin scales, estimated to involve between 1,100 and 6,600 African pangolins, from a container at the Kwai Chung Custom House Cargo Examination Compound. The HKD$9.8 million worth of scales were disguised as �sliced plastics�, and the seizure marks the largest quantity of pangolin scales confiscated in five years.

Sadly, pangolins are severely threatened by the illegal wildlife trade. They are the most illegally traded wild mammals on the planet, and their wild populations are facing severe pressure from poachers. This is because in certain areas, particularly China and Vietnam, their meat is considered a delicacy and their scales are used as ingredients in traditional medicine. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Pangolin Specialist Group estimated that around one million pangolins were snatched from the wild and trafficked in the past decade � equivalent to one pangolin every five minutes.

In Singapore, the trading of pangolin parts is illegal. If you see any shops or traders selling alleged pangolin parts, you can report it to the police, the AVA, or to the ACRES Animal Crime Investigation Unit (ACIU) at acrescrime@gmail.com

Read the full article here: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201606/23/P201606231001.htm

Source: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201606/23/P201606231001.h..

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ACRES

ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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