Today Online 17 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE — More than 30 wild animals have been seized from a HDB flat.
The seizure, which includes highly endangered and threatened species like the slow loris, marmoset, Indian star tortoise and ball python, is the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority’s (AVA) largest inland seizure of wildlife since 2002.
Acting on a tip off, the AVA raided the flat and seized the animals on June 3. A man is currently assisting the AVA in the investigations.
Other animals seized include three black-tailed prairie dogs, two sailfin dragons and five ornate horned frogs.
The seized animals, which are not allowed to be kept as pets in Singapore, have been sent to the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) for proper care and custody, said the AVA in a statement.
A permit is required for any import and export/re-export of animals in Singapore.
As Singapore is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), it is an offence to possess or trade in any illegally imported or acquired CITES species.
If found guilty, the offender may be fined up to S$50,000 per specimen (not to exceed an aggregate of $500,000) and/or jailed up to 2 years.
In 2002, a man was fined S$25,000 and jailed for 3 months for having in possession 47 illegal wild animals as pets. The seized animals, which included prairie dogs, snakes, tortoises and turtles, a crocodile and lizards, were sent to WRS.
The AVA reminds the public not to import or keep wild animals as pets, as demand for such animals would fuel illegal wildlife trade.
“Wild animals are not suitable pets as some may transmit zoonotic diseases to humans and can be a public safety risk if mishandled or if they escape into our dense urban environment. Wild animals that are non-native to Singapore may also be a threat to our biodiversity if released into the environment,” said the authority.
Members of the public who have information on illegal wildlife activities can contact the AVA at 6325 7625.
AVA seizes more than 30 wild animals from HDB dweller
Channel NewsAsia 17 Jun 13;
SINGAPORE: The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has seized over 30 wild animals from a person living in an HDB flat.
In a statement, AVA said the animals included highly endangered and threatened species like the slow loris, marmoset, Indian star tortoise and ball python.
AVA said these animals cannot be kept as pets in Singapore.
The agency seized the animals on 3 June 2013, following a tip-off.
It has sent the animals to Wildlife Reserves Singapore for proper care and custody.
It was the agency's largest inland seizure of wildlife since 2002.
AVA said a man is assisting it in its investigations into the case.
- CNA/xq
Over 30 wild animals seized from flat
Tip-off led to biggest seizure of illegal wildlife from home in 11 years: AVA
Amelia Tan Straits Times 18 Jun 13;
THREE rare ball pythons, two Indian star tortoises and a slow loris were among more than 30 wild or endangered animals rescued from a flat here in the biggest seizure of illegal wildlife from a home in 11 years.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said its officers acted on a tip-off to raid the flat and that a man who lives there is assisting with investigations.
The animals, all of which were alive, were sent to Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
They included black-tailed prairie dogs, sailfin dragons and ornate horned frogs.
The AVA declined to say where the animals were seized in the June 3 raid.
It said there were 19 cases of individuals being caught in possession of illegal wildlife last year, the highest number since 2008. However, in the past five years, only two cases ended with offenders going to court, where they were fined.
Ms Corinne Fong, executive director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was "surprised" by the size of the seizure and urged international authorities to "step up checks to stop this trade".
She added: "Some animals will probably end up in countries such as China where exotic wildlife is highly valued as pets or to be eaten."
Animal rights groups interviewed said Singapore is used by exotic wildlife traders as a "transit point" for their goods because of its open trade policy.
The creatures may come from countries in the region such as Thailand and Vietnam, and are sent here while customers overseas are being sourced for.
Animal rights groups say the reason for the recent rise in cases may be that the authorities are receiving more tip-offs.
Such groups have been urged by the AVA to share information on suspected cases.
The current case is the biggest haul since 2002 when a man was fined $25,000 and jailed for three months for owning 47 illegal wild animals as pets.
A permit is required for the import and export of animals in Singapore. The Republic is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).
It is an offence to possess or to trade in any illegally imported or acquired Cites species.
If found guilty, offenders can be fined up to $50,000 per specimen or up to $500,000 in total, and/or jailed up to two years.
