Green Scorpions Foil Attempt to Smuggle 342kg of Lion Bones

Three people were arrested on Tuesday following the discovery of twelve crates of lion bones at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Suspicions were aroused when the crate arrived at the airport without a booking or any of the proper documents that were required.

Authorities opened the crate to find 342kg of lion bones wrapped in aluminium foil.  They were due to be flown to Malaysia, where they are a prized commodity for both jewellery and their supposed medicinal benefits.

A member of the police’s Crime Intelligence Unit joined the Green Scorpions to investigate the matter further.  

The Green Scorpions, as they are known colloquially, are a network of environmental enforcement agents tasked with the compliance of South Africa’s environmental laws.  They are officially known as Environmental Management Inspectors.

Barbara Creecy, the Minister for Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, celebrated the seizure, explaining how “[t]he success of the joint operation once again confirms that the sharing of information and collaboration between the different law enforcement entities in South Africa’s fight against wildlife crime”.

The news comes as we commemorate World Animal Day, celebrated each year on 4th October, the anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s death.  The day is part of a global movement to improve the welfare of animals and was the brainchild of German writer and activist Heinrich Zimmerman.