Hong Kong’s black market in pangolin scales feeding demand in mainland China, campaigners fear
- Government has issued just one licence for possession, fuelling concern over what has happened to 14 tonnes of the outlawed products
- Campaigners believe they have been smuggled over the border as the endangered mammal faces further decline in numbers
Fears have been raised that tonnes of illegally hoarded pangolin scales in Hong Kong have been smuggled to mainland China after it was revealed the city has issued just one licence for possession.
Government records reveal a solitary permit has been handed out for 350kg of the endangered mammal’s scales since a global ban on their trade was imposed in 2017.
That is despite international trade statistics showing a record 14.2 tonnes of the natural products were imported from East Africa to Hong Kong with export permits in 2016 and 2017, before the worldwide ban on their sale was imposed in January 2017.
Anyone in Hong Kong who possesses pangolin products for commercial trade must apply for a permit since February, under changes to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance that took effect in November last year and were introduced to increase safeguards for the mammals.
Only one licence – for possession of pangolin scales weighing 350kg – has been issued, the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department said, adding no permits have been handed out for the export or re-export of such products since 2016.