Largest number of bear paws seized by customs  

满洲里破中国最大熊掌走私案 两俄籍嫌犯被收审

17日，记者从内蒙古满洲里海关获悉，5月22日，在该关公路口岸一辆进境俄籍客车的轮胎中查获熊掌213只，这是迄今为止中国最大的走私熊掌案件，经鉴定，213只熊掌皆为棕熊熊掌。[查看全文]

Manzhouli (CNS) -- A total of 213 wild bear paws hidden in a vehicle by two Russian nationals were seized Monday by customs police in Manzhouli, a border city in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

It is the biggest seizure of smuggled paws ever made by Chinese customs, according to local customs authorities.

Police said the smugglers looked intense and suspicious during the regular border check on May 22. Customs officials then conducted an inspection and found the paws stuffed inside the van's wheels and spare tire.

The smugglers have been detained by police.

An initial investigation found that the paws may come from the brown bear, a nationally protected animal in China.

The seized bear paws will be burned or transferred to the forestry department, police said.