Authorities in Vietnam bust wildlife smugglers with tons of rare animal parts

Mongabay
Mongabay
2M ago
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Vietnam's border guards seized over 7 metric tons of rare wildlife parts from smugglers, highlighting ongoing illegal trafficking issues.
Authorities in Vietnam bust wildlife smugglers with tons of rare animal parts
A What happened
On October 3, 2025, Vietnam's border guard command seized more than 7 metric tons of rare wildlife body parts from two wooden fishing boats en route from Indonesia to Vinh Long province. The confiscated items included 4.2 metric tons of suspected pangolin scales, nearly 1.6 metric tons of fish skin, 150 python skins, and various other rare animal parts. The two individuals operating the boats lacked documentation proving the legal origin of the goods. Experts estimate that the amount of pangolin scales seized would require the killing of around 12,000 pangolins, a critically endangered species. The incident highlights Vietnam's ongoing struggle with wildlife trafficking, despite recent progress in combating such crimes. International trade in pangolins is banned under CITES, and Vietnam imposes severe penalties for wildlife offenses. Experts are calling for thorough investigations to uncover the broader networks behind these illegal activities.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Illegal Wildlife Trade: Vietnam remains a hub for wildlife trafficking despite efforts to combat it.

  • 2

    Pangolin Crisis: The seizure highlights the critical endangerment of pangolins due to illegal trade.

  • 3

    Organized Crime: The scale of the operation suggests involvement of organized crime networks.

Takeaways

The seizure of wildlife parts in Vietnam underscores the urgent need for enhanced enforcement against illegal trafficking.

Topics

Culture & Society Society Climate & Environment Wildlife World & Politics Corruption & Accountability Conservation