Malaysian Customs Seize Massive Illegal Wild Animal Parts Import

​worldanimalnews.com/elephant-tusks-rhino-horn-pangolin-scales-tiger-fangs-among-smuggled-wildlife-parts-seized-in-malaysia/

Malaysian customs seized an illegal import of wild animal body parts that was worth an estimated 18 million U.S. dollars. Included were endangered pangolin scales, giant elephant tusks, endangered tiger fangs, and rhino horns, all destined for Malaysia, proving that Malaysia continues to be a heavy contributor to the illegal wildlife trade. The shipment originated in Africa and customs recognized the use of sawn timber as a means of covering up the illegal parts. 

Illegal wildlife trafficking continues to be a plague for Africa's most endangered and imperiled species. Every single species that was discovered in this intercepted shipment is facing relentless perils to their survival in the wild. Pangolins are being hunted to extinction for their scales. Tigers are being hunted for their body parts, elephants and rhinos their tusks. All of these animals are already in trouble and face the possibility of extinction which is why this shipment containing so many different wild, endangered species was particularly concerning. It demonstrates a complete lack of empathy or concern for the struggle these animals face. 

I find myself wondering often if people who are involved in these illegal poaching / importing & exporting have considered what they'll do once these animals are officially extinct in the wild. You know, nothing lasts forever and these people are so heavily blinded by the possibility of getting rich that they've failed to consider what they would do if these animals no longer existed. Secondly, I know that Africa works pretty tirelessly in terms of anti-poaching units but a discovery of this size indicates that illegal poaching is continuing to ravage wild populations. Africa relies heavily on tourism surrounding wild animals so to discover a shipment of this magnitude, I can't help but wonder if what is being done is even close to what is needed to truly tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

We have to get aggressive and funnel more resources globally into combating the illegal wildlife trade. This seizure is evidence that what we're doing is falling short of what is needed. Pangolins are near extinction. Several sub-species of rhinos are already extinct. In some areas, elephants and tigers are both endangered & face possible extinction. We are plunging dangerously close to witnessing the extinction of some of our planet's most recognized species. Time is of the essence when we're considering extinction. 

The future is bleak for wild animals. While I'm grateful to Malaysian customs for their amazing work, I also can't help but feel immense sadness over the discovery. So many innocent, wild animals executed for the benefit of humans, it's sickening and gross. I hope this seizure puts a wrench in the trafficking industry but unless we step up and do more, it won't stop the inevitable extinction of these species.

HAPPY VEG