Number of smuggling cases involving ivory, pangolin scales and rhino horn has 'dropped significantly' since 2021, government says. Hong Kong has seen no "significant seizures" of smuggled ivory and pangolin scales since 2021, the government has said, attributing it to heavier penalties while animal rights groups pointed to international efforts in tackling the illegal wildlife trade as also helping. In a written reply to the legislature on Tuesday, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said the number of smuggling cases involving products from some highly endangered species, such as elephant ivory, pangolins and rhino horn, had "dropped significantly” with increased prosecution and penalties." Since 2021, there have been no significant smuggling cases of elephant ivory or pangolin scales seized in Hong Kong, and there has been only one case involving 6.3kg [13.9lbs] of rhinoceros horn in February with an estimated value of around HK$2.5 million (US$322,000)," the department said. The department said "significant seizures" referred to smuggling cases "with a large quantity of endangered species specimens that are often found in shipping containers", but did not specify whether it was by volume or market value.