Gongbei customs announced in a statement yesterday that a man attempted to smuggle 43 hippopotamus teeth* from Macau to the mainland via the Gongbei checkpoint last month.
The statement identified the man as a mainlander surnamed Li.
According to the statement, the man, who was entering the mainland through “the nothing to declare” channel on February 14, did not put his bag on the X-ray machine for inspection, while customs officers noticed that he attempted to evade customs inspection by walking close to the crowds of travellers.
Consequently, the statement said, customs officers intercepted him and seized 43 items from his bag that appeared to be animal teeth or ivory, weighing 1.4 kilogrammes in total.
Yesterday’s statement said that after technical assessments, Gongbei customs has confirmed that the entire contraband consists of hippopotamus teeth, a category listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
*Hippopotamus teeth are not considered true ivory, but they are sometimes used as a substitute for ivory from elephants, walruses, or other animals. Hippo teeth are made of dentin, which is similar to ivory in texture and appearance, but they are not as highly valued or as expensive as elephant ivory.
The canines and incisors of hippos are the most commonly used parts for carving and decorative purposes. While they are not as expensive as elephant ivory, they can still fetch a significant price depending on the size, quality, and craftsmanship of the item.
It’s important to note that the trade and sale of hippopotamus teeth are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to ensure that their harvesting does not threaten the species’ survival.
This undated handout photo released by Gongbei customs yesterday shows the 43 seized hippopotamus teeth.
