The Chinese ship that ran aground on a coral reef off the Philippines was no fishing boat, according to authorities.  It was hauling more than 10,000 kilos of meat from a protected species called the Pangolin, or “scaly anteater”.

The ship ran aground on 8 April.  But on Monday, officials revealed the cargo:  Frozen carcasses of the threatened species, processed to remove the scales, and stored in several containers in the ship’s hold.

Philippine officials claim the 12 Chinese crewmembers attempted to pay their way out of the situation before they were arrested for poaching and attempted bribery.  More charges are being prepared.

“It is bad enough that the Chinese have illegally entered our seas, navigated without boat papers and crashed recklessly into a national marine park and World Heritage Site,” said World Wildlife Fund-Philippines chief executive officer Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan.

“It is simply deplorable that they appear to be posing as fishermen to trade in illegal wildlife.”

And this is what a Pangolin is.  Here's a baby, chowing down on ants.