Russia seizes China-bound truck with 800 bear paws

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http://www.enn.com/news/2004-03-23/s_14242.asp

 

Russia seizes China-bound truck with 800 bear paws

 

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

By Reuters

 

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 recently.

 

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.

 

Source: Reuters

 

 

 

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