Following a tip-off, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) seized a container containing about six tonnes of raw elephant tusks and cut ivory pieces at PSA port on 28 June 2002. A total of 532 pieces of raw elephant tusks and about 40,810 ivory pieces (for making name seals) worth about S$1.5 million were stuffed in six wooden crates. The shipment of ivory which originated from Africa was destined for Japan, where it is known as a thriving market for name seals or hankos.
2 AVA is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), for which Singapore is a signatory. AVA administers the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, which prohibits the import and export of wildlife parts, including elephant tusks, without a permit. A person or company who is caught trafficking endangered species is liable to be prosecuted in court and may be fined up to S$5,000 (or S$10,000 for repeated offences) and/or jailed for one year.
3 The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is an endangered species protected under CITES. Their population was decimated from an estimated 1.3 million in the 1980s to approximately 600,000 today. With the 1989 ban, the African elephant population was stabilized and the global ivory trade stopped.
4 AVA is investigating and working closely with Singapore Customs, police and other international agencies on this case.
Issued by Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
11 July 2002
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