Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Singapore Seizes Record Rhino Horns, Largest Haul to Date
Singapore found and stopped a big shipment of rhino horns, which are illegal to trade.
They're worth a lot of money and are used in some medicines and as status symbols.
Singapore doesn't allow this kind of trading and has strict punishments for it.
This is the biggest amount of rhino horns they've found so far.
Singapore seized 35.7 kg of smuggled rhino horns, worth about S$1,130,000 ($867,430)
The horns were found in a shipment declared as furniture fittings, also containing 150 kg of other animal parts
All rhino species are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance stance on illegal trade of endangered wildlife species
The maximum penalties for trading endangered species through Singapore include a fine of up to S$200,000 and up to eight years in jail
- Who
- Singapore authorities and SATS air cargo handlers
- What
- Seized smuggled rhino horns and other animal parts
- When
- Earlier this month
- Where
- In a shipment en route to Laos
- Why
- To prevent illegal trade of endangered wildlife species
Against Wildlife Smuggling
Proponents of Traditional Medicine and Status Symbols
Use of rhino horns in traditional medicine
Against Wildlife Smuggling
Illegal and harmful to endangered species
Proponents of Traditional Medicine and Status Symbols
Believed to have medicinal properties
- Total weight of rhino horns
- 35.7 kg
- Approximate value of rhino horns
- S$1,130,000 ($867,430)
- Other animal parts found
- Around 150 kg
- Maximum fine for trading endangered species
- S$200,000 per specimen, up to S$1 million total
- Maximum jail time for smugglers
- Up to eight years