Authorities in Hong Kong have made make their largest haul of contraband ivory in more than 30 years, amid surging illegal wildlife seizures fuelled by lax regulations and buoyant demand from mainland China.  

The ivory was found in a 40-foot container from Malaysia, stashed beneath a cargo of frozen fish.

The tusks are thought to have been taken from about 720 elephants.

City authorities looking into where the ivory was headed, most likely nearby countries

Hong Kong is one of the world's top global transit hubs for endangered species and their products and has lagged behind other countries in adopting tougher rules.

It's also got the largest retail market for ivory, crafting it into jewellery and sculptures to sell to mostly to mainland buyers.

China, Singapore and the United States have all banned ivory trade, but Hong Kong's not likely to see that until 2021.