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POLAR bear rugs, the head of a leopard shot by a trophy hunter, lion skin and elephant ivory are among the animal products being approved for importation into New Zealand.

All manner of exotic animal parts from giraffes to pufferfish, and even crocodile woven into a wedding dress, were among 1529 specimens approved for importation between 2016 and 2018.

New Zealand is a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which aims to protect endangered animals.

Animals killed before the treaty was signed are not bound by laws preventing their trade. Imports can also be approved if it can be proven the export will not impact negatively on the survival of that species in the wild.

Environmental experts, pointing to the devastation of animal populations and ecosystems in the past 30 years, say tighter regulations are needed to ensure the survival of threatened species.

They point to the trade in endangered and vulnerable animals that is helping to fuel the black market in products like ivory, which is worth billions of dollars and believed to be second only to the illicit drug-trafficking market in value.

After New Zealand’s elephant ivory laws came in for stinging criticism from wildlife groups, Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage told Sunday News she was reviewing whether our laws need to be tightened.

The list was revealed in an Official Information Act request to the Ministry for Primary Industries, which approved the importation of grizzly bear hides from Canada, dingo teeth from Australia, and a grand piano made from elephant ivory from the United Kingdom.

Victoria University environmental law professor Catherine Iorns said New Zealand should take a stricter line. ‘‘New Zealand is allowed to adopt rules that are stricter than the international convention. Perhaps we should refuse to give such import permits.

‘‘I don’t think New Zealanders want to be contributing to the demise of these species, especially through the killing of such beautiful creatures, and I think a lot of people would be appalled if they thought we were. ‘‘I think if people who are doing this became