Lhasa Customs in west China's Tibet Autonomous Region has seized 1,393 pieces of rare animal hides, announced the General Administration of Customs Wednesday.

The State Customs described it as the largest smuggling case of rare animal hides since 1949, and said that the catch included many rare animals under state protection, including Bengal Tigers, leopards, lynx, and otters.

In a regular check on October 8, the local customs intercepted 50 bags hidden in a truck on the Ari-Shigatse highway.

Three suspects, who attempted to smuggle the hides to Lhasa, were arrested on the spot.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2003)