Customs authorities in Malaysia seized two containers full of 695 elephant tusks in the country’s largest port, reports TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.
The shipment — labeled as “recycled craft plastic” and weighing nearly 2,000 kg — originated in Tanzania and was destined for China. The action marks the third major elephant ivory seizure in the past three months.
“This latest in a series of major ivory seizures in Malaysia is both heartening and disappointing,” said TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Regional Director Dr William Schaedla.
 Datuk Zainul inspects the close to 700 elephant tusks seized on Friday in Malaysia Click image to enlarge © Star Publications (M) Berhad . |
“It’s heartening because it shows that the country’s authorities can and will take action on the problem. It’s disappointing because it clearly validates what TRAFFIC has been saying for some time now – Malaysia is a major transshipping country for illegal ivory.”
The ivory in the latest shipment came from roughly 350 elephants.
More: 695 tusks found in Port Klang.
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