Zurich: 262 kg of ivory seized at the airport

On 6 July 2015, staff at the Zurich Airport customs post seized approximately 262 kg of ivory during a routine check of passenger luggage.

Editorial team Wild beim Wild — 5 August 2015

The ivory, which is subject to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and is prohibited from being imported into Switzerland, was distributed across eight suitcases.

The suitcases had been checked in by three Chinese nationals in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) via Zurich, with Beijing (People's Republic of China) as their final destination. Between 30 and 50 elephants had to lose their lives for this haul.

Black market value of approximately 400’000 francs

The ivory was discovered during a security check at Zurich Airport. The elephant tusks had been sawn apart so that they could be transported in the suitcases. In addition, 1 kg of fangs and lion claws were also found in the luggage. The ivory is estimated to have a black market value of around 400’000 francs.

The suitcases were confiscated by Swiss customs. Further investigations are being carried out by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO). Due to violations of customs and species protection regulations, the three men face heavy fines. They were caught shortly before boarding their flight and were required to deposit 100’000 francs each, roughly equivalent to the expected penalty for their offence. Criminal proceedings are still ongoing.

This was not the only ivory seizure at Zurich Airport, however. According to customs authorities, there were three further cases this year, though these involved smaller quantities. In all three cases, the elephant tusks were to have been transported from Johannesburg via Zurich to China.

Switzerland has signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, also known as the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). The convention aims to protect wild animals and plants as an irreplaceable part of the Earth's natural systems and seeks to ensure, through international cooperation, that endangered or threatened species of animals and plants are not excessively exploited through international trade.

In cooperation with the FSVO, Swiss Customs makes an important contribution to the protection of endangered species of animals and plants.

Related dossiers and articles:

More on the topic of hobby hunting: In our hunting dossier we bring together fact-checks, analyses, and background reports.