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JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South African officials say 33 poached rhino horns and hundreds of chopsticks and bracelets made from elephant ivory that were seized in Hong Kong have been returned to South Africa.
South Africa's environment ministry said Wednesday that authorities will study the seized items in hopes of identifying and arresting poachers and couriers involved in the illegal shipment.
The ministry says Hong Kong customs officials seized the items in November 2011 from a container that had been shipped from Cape Town harbor.
A forensic study has concluded that very young rhinos, as well as adult animals, were killed for their horns.
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