Authorities in Vietnam discover more than a ton of concealed ivory illegally shipped from Africa

Hanoi, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnamese authorities have announced the discovery of over a ton of illegally imported ivory from Africa, according to reports by the Vietnam News Agency and other outlets. The seizure, made at Quy Nhơn port in the central province of Gia Lai, includes 221 pieces of elephant ivory weighing a total of 1,193 kilograms (2,630 pounds), as well as 79.3 kilograms (175 pounds) of animal bones from big cats like tigers, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The shipment was hidden within sawn timber that arrived in a three-container cargo on July 9. Vietnamese authorities stated that the contraband originated from the Republic of the Congo. The illegal trade of wildlife, both dead and alive, is a major issue in Vietnam, often transhipped to China, but also sought domestically and in other Southeast Asian countries.

The discovery was the result of inspections carried out last week, which led to the launch of a criminal investigation for violating regulations on protected animals. Despite this being the largest ivory seizure at Quy Nhơn, it is far smaller than others found in recent years, including more than seven tons in the central port city of Danang and the northern port of Haiphong.