Vietnam seizes 1.2 tons of ivory, plus big cat bones, hidden in timber shipment

In a significant operation, Vietnamese authorities have intercepted a large haul of ivory and big-cat bones concealed within a shipment of timber destined for the Quy Nhon Port, according to local media reports. The seizure, weighing an impressive 1,193 kilograms (2,630 pounds) of ivory and 79.3 kilograms (175 pounds) of bones, is the largest of its kind at the regional port, as announced by Gia Lai provincial authorities.

The timber shipment, declaring itself as African sawn timber, arrived in July under the guise of Thanh Cong Trading Services and Translation Joint Stock Company. Upon closer inspection using advanced scanning technology, investigators discovered hollowed-out compartments within 12 timber crates, which contained the illicit cargo.

To evade detection, traffickers had packed the ivory and bones in wax and sealed them with wood, making the packages appear innocuous. Following forensic analysis, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology confirmed that the ivory originated from elephants, while the bones belonged to big cats. Wildlife trafficking expert Chris Shepherd of the U.S.-based Center for Biological Diversity emphasized the persistence of demand for illegal wildlife products, calling the massive seizure a stark reminder of the ongoing issue, despite heightened awareness and significant efforts to curb the illegal trade in Southeast Asia.