Malaysia seizes six tonnes of illegally trafficked animal parts

Animals body parts, including pangolin scales and tiger claws, seized by Malaysia's customs officers from a trafficker are displayed during a news conference at Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Malaysian authorities on Monday seized a massive haul of trafficked animal parts, including elephant tusks, rhino horns, pangolin scales and tiger bones worth around 80 million ringgit ($17.9 million), officials said at a news briefing.

Authorities discovered around six tonnes of ivory tusks and other animal parts at the western port in Selangor state on Sunday. The animal parts were believed to be shipped from Africa, Malaysian Customs Director General Zazuli Johan said at the briefing.

Malaysia is one of several Southeast Asian countries identified by conservationists as a major transit point for illegally trafficked endangered wildlife that is en route to other Asian countries, mostly China.

Some out of 6000 kilograms of elephant tusks, according to the press statement, seized with others endangered animals body parts from trafficker by Malaysia's customs officers, are displayed at Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

(Reporting by Ebrahim Harris; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Bernadette Baum)

Body parts of endangered animals, including elephant tusks and rhino horns, seized from trafficker by Malaysia's customs officers, are displayed during a news conference at Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Malaysia's customs officer holds an animal skull that was seized with other animals body parts at Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Malaysia's customs officers display some out of the 6000 kilograms of elephant tusks, according to the press statement, seized along with other animal body parts from a trafficker at Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain