Authorities in Togo have seized nearly four tons of ivory—the tusks from over 500 dead elephants—hidden in containers destined for Vietnam, officials said on Monday. The tusks, disguised as cashew nuts and timber, were found late last month, underscoring a flow of ivory to Asia that environmentalists warn is decimating elephant populations and diplomats say also risks fuelling conflict in Africa. Kotchikya Okoumassou, a senior official in Togo’s environment ministry, said the tusks were found in two seizures in the port of Lome, one on Jan. 22 and another on Jan. 28.—Reuters
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