815 birds seized from Malaysia-registered bus at Woodlands Checkpoint; largest haul in 5 years

Prisca Ang Straits Times 11 Aug 19;

SINGAPORE - Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) found more than 800 ornamental birds in a Malaysia-registered bus at Woodlands Checkpoint on Saturday morning (Aug 10), the largest haul in recent years.

The bus was stopped for a security check when it arrived at the checkpoint at 7am.

ICA officers noticed that the rear tyres of the bus had been modified and heard chirping sounds coming from within the bus, ICA and the National Parks Board (NParks) said in a statement on Sunday.

When they checked the modified compartments above the rear tyres, they found 15 containers with a total of 815 birds hidden in the compartments.

This is the largest seizure of ornamental birds in Singapore in the past five years.

In April last year, a man who drove a Malaysian-registered tour bus that carried 121 live birds concealed in a compartment was sentenced to eight months' jail.

For Saturday's case, as the 35-year-old Malaysian driver did not possess a valid health certificate and import permits, he was referred to NParks for investigation.

The 815 birds seized comprise five species: 38 white-rumped shamas, 10 oriental magpie-robins, 141 oriental white-eyes, as well as 626 scaly-breasted munias and white-headed munias.

Only about 600 of the birds survived. They are being cared for and quarantined at NParks' facilities.

"Animals that are smuggled into Singapore are of unknown health status and may introduce exotic diseases, such as bird flu, into the country. The well-being of the animals will also be affected by poor conditions during the transportation process," said ICA and NParks in the statement.

"The illegal wildlife trade impacts the biodiversity and ecosystems of both source countries and the countries where the wildlife ends up in. For example, the white-rumped shama, a popular songbird in South-east Asia, is becoming increasingly rare throughout the region because of its popularity in the pet trade," the statement added.

Importing an animal without a permit carries a fine of up to $10,000, a jail term of up to one year, or both.

Anyone who is found guilty of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal can be fined up to $15,000, jailed up to 18 months, or both.

ICA and NParks advised travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit. Members of the public can go to NParks' website or download the mobile app SG TravelKaki for more information on bringing back animals from overseas travels.

Record 815 birds found in bus as 'chirping sounds' foil smuggling attempt at Woodlands Checkpoint
Today Online 11 Aug 19;

SINGAPORE — First, officers noticed there were signs of modification around the bus' rear tyres. Then, they heard chirping sounds.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers foiled a smuggling attempt on Saturday (Aug 10), when they uncovered a record 815 birds from a Malaysia-registered bus on arrival at Woodlands Checkpoint.

The smuggled birds were found in 15 containers stored in modified compartments above the bus' rear tyres. They comprised of five species: 38 white-rumped shamas, 10 oriental magpie-robins, 141 oriental white-eyes and 626 munias.

The Malaysia-registered bus had modified compartments above its rear tyres. Photo: ICA

Only around 600 of the 815 smuggled birds survived. The surviving birds are currently being cared for and quarantined at National Parks Board (NParks) facilities.

The bus was driven by a 35-year-old Malaysian man who did not possess a valid health certificate and import permits. The man has been referred to NParks for investigation.

Containers of birds were found within modified compartments above the bus' rear tyres. Photo: ICA

In a joint statement on Sunday, ICA and NParks pointed out the negative impacts of illegal animal smuggling.

They cautioned that animals smuggled into Singapore may introduce exotic diseases such as bird flu into the country. The animals' well-being may also be affected by poor conditions during transportation. In addition, illegal wildlife trade impacts the biodiversity and ecosystems of both the source and destination countries of the smuggled animals.

"For example, the white-rumped shama, a popular songbird in Southeast Asia, is becoming increasingly rare throughout the region because of its popularity in the pet trade,” they added.

Under the Animals and Birds Act, those who import animals without a permit could be jailed for up to a year, fined up to S$10,000, or both. Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal could be jailed for up to 18 months, fined up to S$15,000, or both.

For information on how travellers can bring animals back into Singapore from their overseas travels, the public can refer to the NParks website or the SG TravelKaki app.

Attempt to smuggle 815 birds into Singapore thwarted at Woodlands Checkpoint
Channel NewsAsia 11 Aug 19;

SINGAPORE: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Saturday (Aug 10) thwarted an attempt to smuggle 815 birds through Woodlands Checkpoint.

The Malaysia-registered bus was stopped for security checks upon arrival at the checkpoint at around 7am on Saturday, ICA and National Parks Board said in a joint news release.

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During the inspection, officers found signs of modification around the rear tyres of the bus.

“Their suspicions were further aroused when they heard chirping sounds coming from within the bus,” the news release added.

“Upon scrutiny, officers uncovered 15 containers of 815 birds from modified compartments above the rear tyres of the bus, making it the largest seizure of ornamental birds in Singapore in recent years.”

The 35-year-old Malaysian driver, who did not have a valid health certificate and import permits, was referred to the National Parks Board (NParks) for investigations, it added.

Only about 600 of the birds survived and are being cared for and quarantined at NParks' facilities.

The 815 birds consisted of five species: 38 white-rumped Shamas, 10 oriental magpie-robins, 141 oriental white-eyes and 626 munias.

Among these, the white-rumped Shama is notably becoming rarer in the region because of its popularity in the pet trade.

“Animals that are smuggled into Singapore are of unknown health status and may introduce exotic diseases, such as bird flu, into the country,” the authorities said. “The well-being of the animals will also be affected by poor conditions during the transportation process.

“In addition, the illegal wildlife trade impacts the biodiversity and ecosystems of both source countries and countries where the wildlife ends up in.”

Anyone who imports any animal without a permit faces a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or a jail term of up to one year. Additionally, anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal can be fined up to S$15,000 and/or be jailed up to 18 months.

Source: CNA/ga(mi)