- KSh 15 million worth of rare scales were intercepted at the Jommo Kenyatta International Airport
- The Kenya Wildlife Service said the unaccompanied consignment had been declared as feathers
- The scales belong to the Pangolin mammal, a rare one in Kenya and highly in demand in Asian countries for its presumed ability to cure cancer.
500 kilograms of Pangolin scales were seized at the Jommo Kenyatta International Airport by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
A Pangolin is a solitary, nocturnal mammal with large tough scales that protect it whenever attacked. The burrowing animal rolls up into a ball whenever it senses danger.
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world despite there being an international ban on its trade due to diminishing numbers. Illegal hunting continues to be the cause for this.
It is the most trafficked mammal in the world. Its demand is highest in Asian countries where they believe its scales can cure cancer and make bullet proof coats.
One kilogram of the meat on the international black market costs around KSh 30,300 and its scales KSh 303,000 per kilo.
According to the Star, the only location they can be found in the country is Western Kenya. Their sizes vary from 1.5 kg to 33 kilos.
The KWS confiscated KSh 15, 150,000 worth of undeclared illegal goods.
According to the Star, the unaccompanied consignment at the JKIA was nabbed on Wednesday, June 8, and had been declared as feathers and was destined for Laos in Asia..
On the same day of this seizure, the Judiciary set up its first ever court at the airport where drug traffickers and illegal traders would get swift justice.
According to the Daily Nation, the court would greatle aid the resolution of cases mainly involving foreigners instead of allowing them to skip bail in other courts after arrest.
The new court will have one magistrate and six members of staff while plans continue to be implemented to create space for legal aid lawyers.