2 Tons of Pangolin Scales from Cameroon Seized in Hong Kong

Rhishja CotaAfrica, Asia, Pangolins
Two tons of pangolin scales from Cameroon via Malaysia were intercepted by Hong Kong Customs officers on June 11, 2014. Photo via news.gov.hk
Two tons of pangolin scales from Cameroon via Malaysia were intercepted by Hong Kong Customs officers on June 11, 2014. Photo via news.gov.hk

Hong Kong Customs officials have intercepted an illegal shipment of 2.6 tons of pangolin scales from Cameroon via Malaysia — the second haul from the African continent in less than a month.

The 2,340 kg of scales were discovered on June 11, inside 115 bags on a shipment declared as timber. A “Malaysian businessman” was arrested following the discovery, but has since been released on bail pending further investigation, according to the South China Morning Post. This follows the May 28 seizure of one ton of pangolin scales, initially reported by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department on May 28 as arriving from South Africa (however, later information suggests the illicit cargo arrived from Kenya or Uganda, via Malaysia).

Wong Wai-hung, a divisional commander of the department’s ports and maritime command, told SCMP that the two recent pangolin trafficking incidents are related.

“It is believed that the two shipments of pangolin scales belong to the same smuggling syndicate.”

Since October 2013, at least three large shipments of pangolin scales from Africa have been detected by Hong Kong Customs officers — sadly, an unsurprising development in the plight of the pangolin.

Suspected smuggling activities can be reported to Hong Kong Customs through the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.

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I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.