Police in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have arrested
a man trying to smuggle 64 bear paws.
The paws, with an estimated total value of 320,000 yuan
(US$42,666), were found on October 14, when a Chinese man surnamed
Ling was found to be carrying them in a van on the way to
neighbouring Hunan Province.
Ling said he had been entrusted by others to transport the
paws.
Two of the paws were from Malay bear s and the other 62 from
black bear s, both of which are protected species in China.
Bear's paw is a delicacy in Chinese cuisine and is also used to
treat rheumatism in traditional Chinese medicine.
(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)