Home / Environment / Singapore Seizes $870K Rhino Horn Stash
Singapore Seizes $870K Rhino Horn Stash
18 Nov
Summary
- Over $800,000 worth of rhino horn seized in Singapore.
- Hidden rhino horns were disguised as furniture fittings.
- The seized horns belong to white South African rhinoceroses.
Authorities in Singapore have intercepted a substantial illicit shipment, seizing over $800,000 worth of rhino horn and other animal parts concealed within air cargo bound for Laos. This record-breaking discovery for the city-state involved 35.7 kilograms of rhino horns, identified as originating from white South African rhinoceroses. The contraband was ingeniously disguised as "furniture fittings," with its strong odor eventually alerting cargo handlers.
This significant bust underscores the persistent challenges in combating the illegal wildlife trade, particularly the demand for rhino horns in parts of Asia, where they are falsely believed to possess medicinal properties or are carved into luxury items. International regulations, including the CITES convention, strictly prohibit such trade, yet poaching and smuggling continue to threaten rhino populations globally.
The recovered horns are slated for destruction in accordance with CITES guidelines. The incident follows a previous large seizure in October 2022, indicating that despite conservation efforts and a decrease in reported poaching in recent years, these magnificent creatures remain under grave threat, with South Africa being a primary hotspot for poaching.
