adminLincoln Towindo Senior Reporter
Customs officials at China’s Hong Kong International Airport have over the past two months seized ivory worth US$100 000. Having originated in Zimbabwe, the ivory weighing 90 kilograms was intercepted in three separate cases. In the first case, the officials discovered 24kgs of ivory in a parcel.
The haul was valued at US$30 000.
Five days later, another 51kgs were intercepted. The smugglers had packaged and posted the ivory as “decorative tiles”.
The last case involved an 18-year-old Zimbabwean who was arrested as he attempted to smuggle 15kgs of ivory products into the Asian country.
The teenager faces at least one year in prison.
A statement on the Chinese government’s Hong Kong website reads: “Upon Customs clearance, customs officers screened some inbound airmail parcels declared as “Decorative Tiles” which had originated in Zimbabwe and arrived in Hong Kong via Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
“Suspicious images were found upon X-ray inspection. Customs officers opened the parcels and found the suspected ivory cut pieces covered with sawdust. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for follow-up.”
Secretary for Environment, Water and Climate, Mr Prince Mupazviriho referred inquiries by The Sunday Mail to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority whose spokesperson Ms Caroline Washaya-Moyo could not be reached for comment.
Safari Operators’ Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Emmanuel Fundira said, “The Far East remains a red flag area where the illegal trade in ivory is widespread. As we prepare for the next session of the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), which will be held in South Africa, our focus is on the illegal ivory trade.
“Reports show that the trade is largely centred in Southern Africa and this includes Zimbabwe. We need to really place our focus on stopping that. That kind of trade is worrying in terms of the image it creates on the country’s wildlife management. This means we need to do more as a nation in the area of stopping any kind of activities of that nature for the betterment of our country.”
Illegal ivory traders mainly target lucrative Asian markets where elephant tusks are said to sell at high prices.
Ivory is largely used in the manufacturing of aphrodisiacs and ornaments.
In 2013, over 100 elephants were poisoned in Hwange National Park and eight poachers were subsequently arrested, with three of them getting 16-year jail terms each.
Online Reporter