Malaysia destroys almost four tonnes of ivory

Malaysian authorities incinerated almost four tonnes of elephant tusks and ivory products worth about $3.2 million yesterday, as they crack down on rampant wildlife-smuggling across the country’s borders.

The small Southeast Asian nation has become a transit point in the illicit trade in ivory, which typically arrives from Africa and is sent on to major Asian markets such as China and Vietnam.

Officials torched 3.92 tonnes of tusks and ivory products seized at Malaysia’s ports and airports between 2011 and 2017, said Xavier Jayakumar, the minister for water, land and natural resources.

The massive stash, destroyed in an incinerator, was worth an estimated 13.3 million ringgit ($3.2 million), he said.