Zimbabwe seizes 173 kg smuggled ivory at capital airport

Zimbabwe's wildlife agency said Monday that 173 kilograms of ivory valued at 43,000 U.S. dollars was seized at the Harare International Airport at the weekend.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Caroline Washaya-Moyo said in a statement three locals and one Malian national were arrested in connection with the smuggling.

She said the ivory was destined for Singapore.

"We are happy that our system was able to detect the smuggled goods," she said.

Another undisclosed amount of ivory was seized at the airport recently as officials at Hwange National Park were trying to smuggle them out of the country.

It was the first time in Zimbabwe that national park officials were arrested for involvement in smuggling, according to Washaya-Moyo.

Zimbabwe is one of the world's last remaining habitats for large concentration of African elephants, owning an estimated 100,000 elephants on its land. Enditem