28-year-old Joey Law Swee Siang was fined $4,000 for the illegal import of a Leopard tortoise. He was fined an additional $3,000 for the possession of an African Spurred tortoise and $600 for keeping a Razor-back musk turtle at his place of residence. The charges for the possession of a Mekong snail-eating turtle and keeping a snake-necked turtle were taken into consideration during the sentencing. The Leopard tortoise, African Spurred tortoise and Mekong snail-eating turtle are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

2        On 13 April 2018, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers from Woodlands checkpoint detected a Leopard tortoise hidden in an eyewear case placed in the glove compartment of a Singapore-registered car. The case was referred to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) for further investigations.     

3        On the same day, AVA conducted follow-up checks at the man’s residence and detected four other illegal wildlife, an African Spurred tortoise, a Razor-back musk turtle, a Mekong snail-eating turtle, and a snake-necked turtle. The animals, which are not approved pets, were seized and placed in the care of the Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

Public advisory

4        Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's safety and security. ICA will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands. Animals that are smuggled into Singapore are of unknown health status and may introduce exotic diseases into the country.

5        The keeping and trading of wildlife and wildlife parts/products, is an offence in Singapore. Offenders shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and to the forfeiture of the wildlife. If the wildlife species is protected under CITES, offenders in possession of or found selling illegally imported CITES-protected species shall be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $500,000 and/or 2 years’ imprisonment, and to the forfeiture of the specimens. For more information on CITES-listed animals please refer to the CITES website (https://www.cites.org).

6        Travellers are reminded not to import or keep such exotic pets as demand for these animals would fuel the illegal wildlife trade. Wildlife are not suitable pets as some may transmit zoonotic diseases to humans and pose a public safety risk if mishandled or if they escape into our dense urban environment. Non-native animals may also be a threat to our biodiversity if released into the environment. The public can refer to AVA’s website or download AVA’s mobile app, SG TravelKaki (available free-of-charge from iTunes and the Google Play store), for more information on bringing back animals from overseas travels.

 

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
17 October 2018