Tigers seized in roadside cop
2012-09-06 11:13
BLACK MARKET BUST: Two men managed to fit 119 pangolins and four tiger cubs into their vehicle with the hopes of transporting them to a black market dealer. Fortunately they were arrested and the animals are set to be released back into the wi
HANOI, Vietnam - Two men were arrested in central Vietnam after police discovered four live tigers cubs and hundreds of pangolin in their four-seat car.
Police stopped the car after a tip-off by local residents, according to a police spokesman.
The cubs, weighing a total of 22.5kg, were in cages and 119 pangolin (similar to a armadillo) weighing 422kg were in sacks.
R40 000 FOR TIGER PASTE
Ho Sy Hanh and Bui Van Muoi, were arrested after failing to show permits to transport wild animals. They said they were hired to transport the animals.
The animals are to be handed over to the local forest management agency to be released back into the wild.
Illegal trafficking in tigers, monkeys and other rare animals is widespread in Vietnam and China, where their bones and other body parts are often used in traditional medicine. A kilo of tiger bone paste can sell for the equivalent of R40 000 on the black market. Tiger paste is used to treat ailments such as headaches.
Hunting or trading in rare animals is punishable by up to seven years' jail and a fine of up to R7900.
