Staff members show ivory pieces which will be incinerated during an event against illegal wildlife trade in Seremban, Malaysia, April 30, 2019. Malaysia on Tuesday incinerated nearly four tons of raw ivory and ivory products as part of its efforts to fight against illegal wildlife trade. The ivory, seized in operations between 2011 and 2017, was worth an estimated 13.2 million ringgit (3.2 million U.S. dollars) and was destroyed as part of Malaysia's obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)
KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia on Tuesday incinerated nearly four tons of raw ivory and ivory products as part of its efforts to fight against illegal wildlife trade.
The ivory, seized in operations between 2011 and 2017, was worth an estimated 13.2 million ringgit (3.2 million U.S. dollars) and was destroyed as part of Malaysia's obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Among the items shown to the media were whole tusks which had been sawed into pieces as well as partial and finished items such as beads, figurines and wristbands which were removed from sealed barrels where they had been kept after being seized by the authorities.
Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources Xavier Jeyakumar who briefed the media on the operation said the ivory had been destroyed according to regulations and this had been done in an accountable manner.
"This method of destruction is to ensure that the ivory will not be able to find its way into the black market."
Jeyakumar said most of the ivory was smuggled from Africa through Malaysia for markets in third countries.
He urged the public to play a greater role in supporting the government's efforts in combating wildlife trade and in raising awareness.
