Police Forces Foil Attempt to Smuggle Tiger Skins in Eastern Sudan

The Wildlife Protection Forces of the Ministry of Interior announced that they had foiled an attempt to smuggle tiger skins along Sudan’s eastern border with Ethiopia. The 1986 Federal Wildlife and Game Reserves Protection Act prohibits hunting tigers or trading in any of their body parts.

In a statement, the Wildlife Protection Forces said the Taya Reserve unit in Basunda–Al-Galabat succeeded in thwarting a shipment of tiger skins along the eastern border. The forces had received intelligence about a group involved in cross-border smuggling of wild animal parts, and subsequently monitored the group’s movements and activities to gather full details about the planned shipment.

According to the statement, the forces set up an ambush at the Kenaina checkpoint, beyond Al-Galabat checkpoint, where they intercepted the group’s vehicle and seized 29 tiger hides in addition to other items—potatoes, honey, charcoal, and talh (acacia) firewood—intended to conceal the smuggling operation.

Many Sudanese take pride in wearing footwear made from tiger skin, particularly the traditional “markoub” style. Despite being illegal, the product is sold discreetly at prices ranging from 700 to 1,000 USD.