World record haul of pangolin scales seized in Singapore
SinGaPORE: In the biggest single haul in the world in recent years, the authorities have seized 12.9 tonnes of pangolin scales worth US$52.3mil (RM213.3mil) from a container at Pasir Panjang Export Inspection Station.
The pangolin scales originated from Nigeria and were bound for Vietnam.
They were found packed in 230 bags among packets of frozen beef and declared to contain “frozen beef ”.
Along with the pangolin scales, 177kg of cut up and carved elephant ivory worth US$120,000 (RM489,470) were also seized during the inspection on Wednesday.
The Singapore Customs and the National Parks Board (NParks), which staged the joint operation that led to the haul, said the scales were likely from 17,000 pangolins, taking into account the weight of the various species.
The four species native to Africa are the giant ground pangolin (smutsia gigantea), the black bellied tree pangolin (phataginus tetradactyla), the ground pangolin (smutsia temminckii) as well as the white bellied tree pangolin (phataginus tricuspis).
The previous biggest haul on record was in China in 2017, where nearly 12 tonnes of scales were seized.
NParks said it intercepted shipping of pangolin scales in Singapore in 2015 and 2016 as well.
The pangolin is believed to be the most trafficked animal in the world.
Its scales are in high demand in Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine, despite there being no proven medical benefit from their use.
Its meat is also considered a delicacy in some countries.
Singapore is a signatory of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).
Under local laws – the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act – the penalty for the illegal import, export and re-export of wildlife is a fine of up to US$500,000 (RM2mil) and may include two years’ imprisonment.