Malaysia seizes record pangolin haul
Malaysian authorities have made a record seizure of about 30 tonnes of pangolins and their scales worth some $2.8m in raids.
Malaysian authorities have made a record seizure of about 30 tonnes of pangolins and their scales worth $2.8 million in raids on major processing facilities.
The haul in Sabah state included about 1800 boxes full of frozen pangolins stuffed inside three refrigerated containers, 572 more frozen pangolins in six freezers, 61 live pangolins in cages, and 361kg of pangolin scales, police said yesterday.
The Southeast Asian nation is battling to clamp down on rampant poaching and smuggling of pangolins, the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal.
The critically endangered creatures, also known as scaly anteaters, have long been targeted because their body parts are highly valued in traditional medicine in countries including China and Vietnam while their meat is considered a delicacy.
Traffic, a Malaysia-based group that monitors wildlife smuggling around the region, said it was the “biggest such bust Malaysia has seen to date”.
AFP
Add your comment to this story
Pope Francis lies in state in St Peter’s Basilica
A large crowd watched as the coffin was transferred to the basilica, accompanied by more than 200 red-robed cardinals and eight members of the Swiss Guard, for three days of public viewing ahead of the pontiff's funeral on Saturday.
Vatican recounts Pope Francis’ final hours
The first so-called 'general congregation' following Francis's death, which signals the start of a centuries-old tradition, has determined that public viewing of the pontiff will begin on Wednesday in St Peter's Basilica ahead of Saturday's funeral.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout