AR-News: Russia seizes China-bound truck with 800 bear paws

[Barry Kent MacKay]

Reuters News Service - 22/3/2004

Russia seizes China-bound truck with 800 bear paws

MOSCOW - Russian customs seized a truck heading for China after agents 
uncovered a load of animal parts, including nearly 800 severed bear paws 
prized for exotic dishes, Russian media reported on the weekend.

NTV television showed footage of agents unloading bags on Friday full of the

paws, which fetch high prices in Chinese restaurants.

It said the illicit cargo, concealed beneath piles of used car batteries and

boxes of food, also included assorted antlers, pelts of fur-bearing animals 
and dried sea cucumbers.

Poaching is rampant in many parts of Russia, particularly in poorer Siberian

and far eastern regions.

Twelve years after the collapse of Soviet rule, widespread poverty often 
overshadows ecological and environmental concerns, a low priority in public 
opinion and in government policy.

NTV said the Chinese driver of the truck had been detained pending further 
investigation.
______________________

Barry Kent MacKay
Canadian Office
Animal Protection Institute 
www.api4animals.org