Taiwan seizes huge haul of smuggled ivory from Tanzania Tue Jul 4, 7:31 AM ET



TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan custom officials have confiscated more than two tonnes of elephant tusks from Tanzania in what they said could be the largest illegal shipment of ivory uncovered on the island.


The ivory, which included 350 tusks and some cut pieces, was discovered in two containers bound for Manila from the eastern African country via Taiwan's southern Kaohsiung harbour, Kuo Shih-hsien, spokesman for Kaohsiung customs told reporters.

The ivory, valued at around 100 million Taiwan dollars (3.08 million US), is the largest haul of its kind here since 2000 when 332 elephant tusks weighing 2,160 kilograms (4,762 pounds) were uncovered.

Another Kaohsiung customs official identified by his surname Wang told AFP a third container, also bound for Manila, was also suspected of holding ivory.

"We highly suspect it also contains elephant tusks. If proved, then the shipment would be the largest shipment of ivory confiscated in Taiwan," Wang said.

Taiwan bans transportation and trading of elephant tusks, and people found guilty of violating the wildlife protection law face jail terms of six years and fines of 1.5 million Taiwan dollars, according to the Council of Agriculture.

Because of pressure from Beijing which regards Taiwan was part of its territory, the island is not a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which banned trade in ivory in 1989.

"But as we are a member of the global village, we have been working to comply with wildlife protection measures being adopted by other countries," the official said.

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Originally posted by Kathi:
Taiwan bans transportation and trading of elephant tusks, and people found guilty of violating the wildlife protection law face jail terms of six years and fines of 1.5 million Taiwan dollars, according to the Council of Agriculture.

I hope that's "per tusk."

Wow, if that's the going rate my two 40 pound tusks are worth a total of $51K!

It's interesting as to values of African trophies. Just had Life Form Taxidermy insure my last year's trophies for shipment and they valued them at nearly $141K. Apparently they value the taxidermy price of each animal, plus the going rate for a hunt for each species, not including any real unusual trophies. (i.e. top 10 etc.) If you want that, then they add to that figure. My lion was top five but I have not had them re-figure the insurance for one like that. Maybe I should. . .

and ivory poaching is increasing! Throughout the country there have been recent elephant poaching incidents. Organised gangs, probably from the Rwanda/Burundi refugee influx, have been poaching regularly in Central and Western tanzania. Just the other day 2 gangs slaughtered at least 7 elephants in Western Tz and unconfirmed reports indicate that a couple hundred were poached last year from the Katavi Park ecosystem.

And the gov was denying its existence until a few months ago.

Remote hunting camps could end up being targets of opportunity to these gangs so keep your eyes open and guns nearby