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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, visited the Operation Centre of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department at Ta Kwu Ling today (January 28) to learn about the detection of smuggled ivory by quarantine detector dogs (QDDs).
Mr Wong was briefed by a dog handler on the daily duties of the QDDs. He then observed their training for detection of ivory, including screening parcels and luggage for hidden ivory, simulating the tasks they handle at the Airmail Centre and boundary control points.
Mr Wong was also briefed by an officer from the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) on the enforcement actions against smuggling of ivory.
"The Government is very concerned about the illegal poaching of elephants in Africa. The law enforcement departments concerned will take rigorous action against the smuggling and illegal trade in ivory. The use of QDDs is an internationally recognised effective tool for detecting controlled items. It helps to enhance the capability of the law enforcement departments to combat smuggling of ivory," Mr Wong said.
"The Government will start legislative procedures as soon as possible to ban the import and export of elephant hunting trophies and actively explore other appropriate measures to further contribute to the conservation of elephants."
Since its inception in 2008, the QDD Team has been mainly involved in the interception of live animals and animal products being imported illegally into Hong Kong. From 2013 onwards, its duty has been expanded to include the detection of endangered species specimens such as ivory, dried seahorses and pangolin scales.
In partnership with their handlers, the nine QDDs currently in the team are deployed for field duties on a daily basis to boundary control points and the Airmail Centre at Hong Kong International Airport where they help screen parcels, goods, luggage and passengers.
Trained QDDs can screen a large number of goods or passengers and detect the scent of animals and animal products. They will identify and sit beside containers or passengers suspected of carrying controlled items.
In the past two years, a total of 22 cases of illegal import of ivory have been detected with the assistance of the QDDs in joint operations with the C&ED.
Ends/Thursday, January 28, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:11
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