Saiga antelope horns worth $22million seized in China
A huge number of Saiga horns are found as they are illegally smuggled into China. Saiga horns are also known as ling yang, (羚羊) and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Border police in Northwest China uncovered 35 boxes of saiga antelope horns that smugglers were attempting to sneak into the country. The boxes were tucked away underneath straw matresses at the back of a truck, they have been estimated to have a value of $22million.
The truck's driver was detained and revealed that he had three accomplices waiting for him in the country, who border police caught 40 kilometres from the point of entry.
Saigas are a first-class endangered species according to the international convention for the protection of wild animals.
Their horn has been a traditional ingredient in Chinese medicine for the treatment of fever, convulsions and other illnesses, hence its high price tag for smugglers.