SINGAPORE: The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) on Monday crushed 7.9 tonnes of elephant ivory – estimated to be worth about S$13 million – seized from illegal shipments dating back to January 2014.
The process – a first for AVA – was performed by an industrial rock crusher before the ivory was incinerated at an eco-waste plant, with the ashes to be used as landfill at Pulau Semakau.
Most recently in December last year, Singapore authorities at Changi Airfreight Centre intercepted 851 elephant tusks – weighing about 2.25 tonnes – bound for Laos from Nigeria and Congo.
The largest and most valuable illegal shipment of ivory to be seized in Singapore to date was back in May 2015 – when 1,783 elephant tusks weighing about 4.6 tonnes and worth about $8 million were intercepted en route to Vietnam from Kenya.
Monday’s event was held at Tuas and attended by Mr Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Home Affairs, along with foreign diplomats from the British High Commission and US Embassy to Singapore.
“The public destruction of ivory sends a strong message that Singapore condemns illegal wildlife trade. By crushing the ivory, we ensure that it does not re-enter the ivory market. Tackling this illicit trade requires close international cooperation, and also the assistance of the public and non-governmental organisations,” said Mr Lee.
“We will continue our enforcement efforts, to prevent Singapore from being used as a transit point.”
