Vietnamese police seize 120 protected pangolins destined for China

Authors: 
Agence France Presse
Document Type: 
Media
Citation: 
Agence France Presse. (2004, November 5). Vietnamese police seize 120 protected pangolins destined for China. [Online]. Available: http://www.mekong.es.usyd.edu.au/news/wildlife_emails/wildlife_email59.htm [2008, March 11].
Year Published: 
2004
Type Work: 
News Release
Availability: 
Online
Language: 
English
Country: 
Vietnam
Url: 
http://www.mekong.es.usyd.edu.au/news/wildlife_emails/wildlife_email59.htm
Bushmeat Asian Type: 
Wildlife Trade
Keywords: 
Vietnam; police; pangolins; China; trade; enforcement; medicinal; endangered; CITES
Abstract: 
Police in Vietnam have seized 120 protected pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters, which were to be transported to China to be sold for their rumoured aphrodisiac meat, local officials said Friday. The pangolins, weighing a total 470 kilograms, were seized in central Ha Tinh province bordering Laos, an official of the provincial ranger's department said. "The pangolins originally came from Myanmar. They were then brought to Vietnam from Laos and would be later be exported to China." The owner of the wild animals was asked not to leave his house for further police investigation, he said. Pangolins are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora but there is a blanket ban on all trade in them. Pangolin meat is much sought after in Vietnam and China for its supposedly aphrodisiac qualities. Vietnam has a poor conservation record, with endangered species, favoured for their status value...
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