Authorities at Changi Airport in Singapore have seized a record amount of smuggled rhino horns.
What is going on?
According to a joint press release from the National Parks Board and air cargo handling agency SATS, authorities seized a record 35.7 kilograms of smuggled white rhino horn, worth about 1.13 million Singapore dollars, or about $870,000 in the United States.
A member of SATS Cargo Acceptance staff uncovered the horns, which were hidden in a shipment of “furniture fittings” bound for Laos.
The discovery was made after the staff member detected a strong odor from the shipment on November 8, which led to an inspection by the Airport Police Division of the Singapore Police Force and NParks.
Authorities found 20 pieces of rhino horn, as well as 150 kilograms of other animal parts. Further tests showed that the horns belonged to the White rhinoceros, a near-threatened species, according to the IUCN Red List.
As The Straits Times reported, SATS Cargo Acceptance staff member Vengadeswaran Letchumanan described the discovery of the rhino horn to the media.
“When they opened the box, [it was] very smelly,” said Vengadeswaran. “[I couldn’t] stand by the box. This is the first time I have seen something like this.”
Why is it concerned with the massive capture of rhino horn?
All rhino species are protected, and efforts are being made to protect them from threats such as poaching and illegal trade.
International treaties, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, prohibit trade in rhinos and their parts. This is an ongoing effort to preserve the future viability of all rhino species.
Before being designated a protected species, rhino populations saw a significant decline for decades. While some rhino species have experienced a population rebound, other species, such as the black rhino, are still facing potential extinction.
But there is hope. In Indonesia, Kambas National Park welcomed the birth of a Sumatran rhino, a critically endangered species. In Kenya, 21 black rhinos have been released into their “fair habitat” for the first time in 50 years.
“Illegal wildlife trade threatens the survival of endangered species, driving habitat destruction and biodiversity loss on a global scale,” said Dr. Anna Wong, senior director of wildlife trade for the National Parks Board.
“As a signatory to CITES, Singapore is committed to international efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade to safeguard the long-term survival of these animals.”
What is being done about illegal wildlife trade operations?
The illegal wildlife trade is a major contributor to the decline of global biodiversity, pushing countless species towards extinction. This can disrupt established ecosystems and lead to the introduction of invasive species that can further damage native species.
“NParks adopts a multi-pronged approach to enforce against illegal wildlife trade,” Wong added. “This includes working with agencies and partners such as SATS to carry out checks at our border checkpoints, as well as conducting training to improve skills and share expertise with counterparts on the detection of smuggled wildlife and wildlife products.”
An effective way to reduce the impact of the illegal wildlife trade is to reduce the demand for unregulated wildlife products, especially those derived from threatened and endangered species. These products include ivory, exotic hides, and parts used in certain traditional medicines.
“We also encourage the public to do their part by not buying wildlife parts and products,” said Wong.
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