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The government says investigations into the reported seizure of 446 elephant tusks concealed in timber logs in Thailand are ongoing, with authorities working to verify shipping and export documents before issuing a comprehensive report.
Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga said the report was yet to be verified by inter-agency teams working with Thai customs officials to establish the origin and circumstances surrounding the consignment.
Responding to a press query by Zambia Monitor on Monday, October 26, 2026, Muhanga said the agencies were examining the bill of lading and export documents before releasing their findings.
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“The report is yet to be verified by inter-agencies working with Thailand customs officials to verify bill of lading and export papers so that they can issue a comprehensive report to you people following up the story,” he said.
Muhanga said the joint inter-agency team would issue a statement addressing questions surrounding the reported seizure.
He said the agencies were best placed to provide answers on matters relating to international wildlife crime involving fauna and flora.
The update follows a report published by Zambia Monitor on October 9, 2026, regarding the reported seizure of elephant tusks concealed in timber logs.
In an earlier statement issued in Lusaka on October 8, Muhanga said the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) was working with the Department of Forestry, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and other relevant agencies to establish the origin and circumstances surrounding the consignment.
He said preliminary information suggested that the shipment might have originated from Zambia, although this had not been established.
Muhanga said investigators were reviewing permits, authorisations and customs declarations associated with the consignment, with particular attention to reports that the ivory had been concealed inside hollow timber logs.
He said investigations would establish the nature and quantity of the declared cargo, identify the parties involved and determine whether any documentation had been falsified, misused or improperly obtained.
Muhanga also said a preliminary inspection of the government’s ivory strongroom had revealed no indication that ivory had been stolen or unlawfully removed from the facility.
The government is yet to issue the comprehensive findings of the joint investigations.
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