Around 100 frozen wolves were seized at Zamiin-Uud when they were being taken to China for the Lunar New Year. Apparently wolf meat and skin have become of great value as gift there. Since the port has no special freezers the carcasses have begun to defrost and smell.

Mongolians respect wolves as an animal with spiritual significance. Seeing one is a high honor. The 100 dead wolves have turned Zamiin-Uud into a morgue, but they cannot be disposed of until the court gives a judgment.

A lot of effort was put into smuggling the wolves. They had been stored in trucks in a specially concealed area for about a month and the border crossing was attempted on Border Day just before the border was to close. In another incident train machinists were caught with 26 hidden gazelles, six wolves and 100 kilograms of meat. It seems Mongolians are doing all they can to raise people’s reputation in China.

The meat for a wolf sells for about MNT630,000. A tongue costs MNT25,000 and the liver MNT20,000. A gazelle costs MNT60,000 – MNT100,000. Illegal export of woldlife began with squirrel skin. It was followed by deer antlers, tails and penis. Even medicinal plants are being illegally exported.