Customs take pangolin scales

THAI AUTHORITIES yesterday displayed to journalists nearly 3 tons of scales from pangolins, the world’s most poached animal, seized in anti-smuggling operations since December. The scales, worth more than $800 000 (R10.74 million), were shipped from Africa and confiscated by police, customs and wildlife officials at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai customs chief Kulit Sombatsiri said an estimated 6 000 pangolins were killed to produce almost 3 tons of scales, which are used in traditional medicines in Asia. A ban on global trade of pangolins took effect in January after tougher international protection was agreed on last September for the eight species of the mammal, which curls up in a ball when threatened by predators. – Reuters JAPAN