The national authorities revealed on Saturday 23 March that they had seized 4.8 tonnes of ivory that were being illegally exported to Dubai, following an anonymous tip-off.
“We have 651 pieces of ivory tips which correspond to 4.8 tonnes. The exporter hid the pieces inside sacks of maize, but because our units are working, this export attempt was thwarted,” said Leviana Macul, the Tax Authority delegate in Maputo.
According to the official, the goods, which were destined for Dubai, were seized at around 11am in a container that was almost ready to leave Maputo by sea.
Poaching in Mozambique has been a serious threat to wildlife, but the authorities estimate that the slaughter of elephants has decreased in recent years, as a result of enforcement and conservation efforts also supported by international partners.
According to data from the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), the country has around 10,000 elephants.
More recent reports indicate that between 2011-16, more than 48 per cent of the elephant population was lost.
