By Star Chang, posted Jan 30, 2012 at 5:22 PM, 2,072 views,

Smuggling Bear Paws to China

A logistics company that had arrived at Chongqing airport to pickup seafood was discovered to have bear paws. A total of 10 bear paws were smuggled from outside the country and it was shipping to Shenzhen China, with Chongqing only being a transit point. All items shipped by air must be opened and inspected. The security officer cautiously opened the black plastic bags in two of the cartons and was shocked to find two furry black animal paws inside …

The 10 seized bear paws were all rear legs, all severed at the joints. The exposed muscles and flesh at the wounds have already discolored. Local police determined that these bear were slaughtered at least half a year ago based upon experience. Bear paws are traded in the black market and it can bring up to a thousand dollars each in China. It is legal to hunt black bears, but the sale and export of parts is illegal everywhere. And black bear is a protected species in China.

Chinese people use bear paws for medicinal purposes and eat them as a delicacy. Yes, bear paws are a ritual dish for the Chinese. In ancient China, bear paws are often used as ingredients to make soups,stocks or other dishes. It was served mainly to the emperors. Food made from wild animals have been a fixture of Chinese cooking for a long time. Bear’s paw holds a special place in Chinese cuisine and the Chinese rich are keen to taste the rare delicacies.

SOURCE: NetEase, MOP dzh
More coverage: Man caught smuggling bear paws in Vancouver