Story By: Simona Kitanovska / newsX
This is the moment stunned customs officers discover severed bear paws and jaws from a tiger being smuggled inside a lorry.
The seizure happened at the Poltavka border checkpoint in Russia on Tuesday, 30th September. When customs officers prevented an attempt to smuggle the freshly frozen animal parts into China.
According to the Federal Customs Service of Russia, the cab of the lorry contained the upper and lower jaws of a Siberian tiger with preserved canines and incisors, two kneecaps, and 10 bear paws.
The 55-year-old driver, who has not been named. Said he had purchased the derivatives from a stranger.
He admitted that he was aware of the restrictions on transporting such items across the border, which was why he hid them.
A criminal case has been opened and the driver has been taken into custody.
He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to RUB 1 million (GBP 9,030).
The bear paws have been sent for examination, after which a procedural decision will be made.
The Siberian tiger, also known as the Amur tiger, is included in the list of especially valuable wild animals in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and is protected under international treaties.
Both bears and tigers are included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
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