Nigeria has burned $1.4m (£1.2m) worth of pangolin scales, say officials.
The announcement marks the first time the West African nation has publicly destroyed seized wildlife products in order to discourage illegal trafficking.
The pangolin, a shy and critically endangered animal, is one of the world’s most trafficked mammals. Their scales are in high demand in traditional Chinese medicine.
Nigeria has become a major transit hub for African pangolin scales and other wildlife products trafficked to Asia.
“These seized items represent the past we leave behind, but the destruction signifies the future we are determined to build for our planet,” Environment Minister Iziaq Adekunle said before the burning took place in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
“The destruction of these seized items is a powerful statement of our resolve to protect our environment, conserve our wildlife, and combat the illegal trade that drives species to the brink of extinction.”
The destroyed pangolin scales amounted to almost four tonnes, officials said.
The BBC.