bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Letters

I write to congratulate the Hong Kong government’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Customs and Excise Department on the success of their 10-week operation to combat endangered species smuggling. The joint operation resulted in seizures of HK$19 million (US$2.4 million) in suspected endangered species, as well as 82 arrests.
This shows the impact proper resourcing would likely have on combating wildlife crime within the territory. With Hong Kong’s annual seizures in endangered species routinely valued as second only to dangerous drugs, isn’t it time the agriculture and customs departments were given sufficient human resources and legislative powers to pursue wildlife offences with as much vigilance as police pursue triad and drug crimes?
Use anti-triad laws to tackle wildlife smuggling, green groups urge
This should start with amending our Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance to target endangered species smuggling. With more adequate powers and resources, we could also start policing the pangolin market.
Watch: Rare pangolin spotted in Hong Kong


HK$100,000 Hong Kong turtle species under threat of extinction
As noted in your story, “How Hong Kong shops manage to cash in on pangolin scales” (September 5), traders in Hong Kong do not need permits to sell pangolin scales. While we wait around for the legislative amendment raising pangolin species to Appendix 1 (banning the unlicensed sale of pangolin scales) to take effect in November – two years after 182 countries agreed on a total pangolin trade ban at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – the world’s most trafficked mammal is quickly going extinct.
This year alone, the authorities have netted over 15 tonnes of smuggled scales within the city. Hong Kong’s role in the extinction of the pangolin should not be a repeat of our shamefully tardy response to ivory trade.
Amanda Whitfort, associate professor, Faculty of Law, HKU


Hong Kong online investment scams surge 20% as losses hit HK$3.08 billion

Hong Kong police arrest 15 over ‘meticulously planned’ 1 billion yen robbery

Hong Kong bid-rigging bigwigs paid kickbacks in Shenzhen saunas: construction veteran

West must face the facts of Jimmy Lai’s trial and conviction

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong must not let response to endangered pangolin mirror ivory trade shame

A hidden shipment of pangolin scales with an estimated market value of HK$3.55 million, seized by Hong Kong customs in July from a shipping container en route from Africa to mainland China. Photo: Handout

Ten of Hong Kong’s most endangered species, from animals hunted for TCM to the gigantic Plantasaurus

The Chinese pangolin is one of eight species of pangolin, all of which are poached for their meat and scales for traditional Chinese medicine. Photo: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden

This image may be republished, Chinese white dolphins - mother and calf

Archipielago de Revillagigedo: Green Turtle. SCMP PICTURE (UNESCO HANDOUT)

Big Wave Bay resident Ally Whittle, with her Aquilaria Sinensis agarwood tree. 21JAN16 SCMP/Jonathan Wong

Handout image shows GranthamÕs camellia.

EBN48N Oriental vessel fern, Mule's-foot fern (Angiopteris evecta), shoot

***PLEASE CLEAR COPYRIGHT BEFORE RE-USE*** Chinese Bahaba fish has been watched in Hong Kong.[13APR2015 BROADSHEET LIFE]

This image shows a male green cascade frog on a hiking trail in Hong Kong. 16AUG14 [18SEPTEMBER2014 TRAVEL 48HRS]

*** ONE TIME USE ONLY *** FRTM4M Black faced spoonbill Platalea minor single portrait winter preening with water by bill at Nam Sang Wai, Hong Kong. 22DEC15 [08MAY2016 FEATURES POST MAGAZINE]

Hong Kong Grouper, an endangered species, can still be found in Port Shelter, Sai Kung. CREDIT: Eco-Education and Resources Centre and Green Power

Opinion

Conservation

Hong Kong must not let response to endangered pangolin mirror ivory trade shame

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Watch: Rare pangolin spotted in Hong Kong

HK$100,000 Hong Kong turtle species under threat of extinction

Watch: Rare pangolin spotted in Hong Kong