3 Tons of Ivory Seized by Thai Customs

Just weeks ago, four tons of African elephant ivory was seized at Bangkok’s port. Now, another three tons of ivory has been seized by Thai customs at a port. The ivory, which was discovered on Saturday (April 25), was hidden in a container that was shipped from Kenya. The multi-million dollar stash was bound for Laos where it would have likely been sold on the black market.

Officials seized over 500 pieces of ivory from the container, which was labeled as tea leaves. The shipment came from Mombasa, Kenya and contained numerous whole tusks – some as long as two meters. The smuggled ivory is estimated to be worth $6 million USD, or approximately 195 million baht.

Had the ivory made it to Laos, it would have likely been sold to buyers in Vietnam, China or Thailand. Ivory is highly coveted in these areas, but the trade may be pushing wild elephants into extinction.

Conservationists warn that poaching has destroyed a large percentage of the wild African elephant population. Some conservationists estimate that the species could be extinct within decades if steps aren’t taken to curb the trade and reduce conflict in Africa.

Thailand is cracking down on the illegal trade of African ivory, although ivory from domesticated elephants is still permitted.