Updated: 12/03/2013 15:57 | By Channel NewsAsia
Four men fined for dealing illegally with wild animals & birds
SINGAPORE: Four men have been charged in court and fined for dealing illegally in wild animals and birds in two separate cases.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said it was tipped off about the online sales of illegal wildlife in June 2013.
Following investigations, it seized two sugar gliders and two hedgehogs from the man who was hawking them online.
He was charged in court on 26 November and fined S$4,000.
The animals were sent to Wildlife Reserves Singapore for care and custody.
In the second case, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority caught three men smuggling six mata puteh birds in toothpaste boxes in September.
The birds were seized and sent to Jurong Bird Park for care and custody.
The three men were charged in court last Tuesday, and fined S$6,000 each for illegally importing the birds and subjecting them to unnecessary suffering.
AVA reminded the public that it is an offence to import and export or re-export any animal without a permit.
It is also an offence to possess, sell or advertise any wildlife or their parts or products that have been imported illegally.
It said strict measures on the import of live animals and birds are needed to safeguard Singapore from the introduction of animal diseases.
It also reminded the public that importing or keeping wild animals as pets would fuel illegal wildlife trade. - CNA/xq
