Hong Kong snares record haul of rhino horns from South Africa

Rhino horns seized by Hong Kong Customs are on display in Hong Kong, China, in this handout photo released by Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department February 14, 2019, obtained by Reuters February 15, 2019. Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department/Handout via REUTERS

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong customs seized a record 40 kg (88 pounds) of rhino horns worth around HK$8 million ($1 million) from Johannesburg en route to Vietnam, the latest bust for authorities trying to tackle the rising volume of endangered species trafficked through the Chinese territory.

The seizure came less than one month after customs busted a massive smuggling operation from Africa, seizing a record quantity of pangolin scales, along with more than 1,000 ivory tusks.