Hong Kong needs tougher laws to tackle wildlife crime say researchers

In this file photo taken on Feb 1, 2019, a customs officer stands in front of sacks of seized endangered pangolin scales displayed next to ivory elephant tusks (left) during a press conference at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound in Hong Kong. HK is thriving as a transnational wildlife smuggling hub because its laws are not strong enough to tackle organised crime running the lucrative trade, researchers said on Oct 23, 2020. - AFP

HONG KONG, Oct 23 (AFP): Hong Kong is thriving as a transnational wildlife smuggling hub because its laws are not strong enough to tackle organised crime running the lucrative trade, researchers said Friday.

With its busy port and transport links, the semi-autonomous territory is a major transit point for illegal parts of endangered animals like elephants, rhinos and pangolins -- most of it headed for consumers in mainland China.