Officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) recently collaborated to foil two cases of animal smuggling into Singapore, and to prosecute the offenders.

 

The first case: Smuggling of live birds into Singapore from Vietnam

 

2        A Singaporean man was sentenced to three months imprisonment in court today for importing 12 birds into Singapore from Vietnam without the relevant licence. He was also sentenced to three months imprisonment for subjecting the birds to unnecessary suffering or pain. Both sentences will run concurrently.

 

3        On 2 November 2014, AVA was notified by ICA on the detection of an illegal import of 12 birds in the accused’s luggage bag during routine checks at the Singapore Changi Airport. The 38-year-old accused had arrived on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Physical examinations revealed that the 12 birds (nine White-rumped Shama, two Red Whiskered Bulbul and one Magpie Robin) were individually concealed in customised PVC tubes. Food and water were not provided to the birds. Further investigation revealed that the birds were not transported in accordance to AVA’s guidelines, which require pets to be transported into Singapore in containers that comply with the International Air Transport Association standards. Eight of the birds subsequently died. The four surviving birds are with the Jurong Bird Park.

 

4        The accused was convicted of two offences under the Animal and Birds Act. The first offence was for importing the 12 birds from Vietnam into Singapore without a licence. The second offence was for subjecting the said birds to unnecessary suffering or pain. Both offences, on conviction, carry a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months.

 

The second case: Smuggling of reptiles into Singapore from Malaysia

 

5        A Singaporean man was issued a composition fine of S$5,000 today for importing one bearded dragon and one iguana into Singapore from Malaysia without the relevant licence.

 

6        ICA officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint had detected the reptiles in the spare tyre compartment of a Singapore-registered vehicle on 25 March 2015. The vehicle owner, a 38-year-old Singaporean, had purchased the reptiles from Malaysia to be brought back into Singapore as his personal pets. The reptiles were confiscated and handed over to AVA officers. The reptiles were subsequently sent to Wildlife Reserves Singapore for care and custody.

 

7        The accused was convicted under the Wild Animals and Birds Act for the illegal import of animals. The importation of any animals or live birds without an AVA permit is an offence. Offenders can be charged in court and fined a maximum of $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. The public can refer to AVA’s website for more information on bringing back animals from overseas travels.

 

Public Advisory

 

8        AVA would like to remind the public against bringing live animals or birds into Singapore without a permit from AVA. AVA has strict regulatory requirements for the import of live animals and birds due to animal health reasons and to prevent the introduction of diseases, especially Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or bird flu. Ornamental birds can only be imported from countries that are free from HPAI. In addition, the birds must be tested to be free from HPAI and must undergo a 21-day pre-export quarantine prior to export to Singapore. These measures help to maintain Singapore’s HPAI-free status.

 

9        Travellers are reminded not to import or keep wild animals as pets as demand for such animals would fuel illegal wildlife trade. Wild animals such as bearded dragons and iguanas are not suitable as 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.

 

10      While AVA continues to ensure that regulatory measures against illegal import, trade or possession of live animals/birds/wildlife are in place and properly enforced, the public can play their part too. Members of the public with information on such activities can contact AVA at 6805 2992 or via AVA’s online feedback form. All information shared with AVA will be kept strictly confidential.

ISSUED BY THE AGRI-FOOD & VETERINARY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE AND THE IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY

8 April 2015

1

Luggage bag

2

PVC tubes containing the birds

3

Some of the seized birds

ANNEX B

Photographs of the seized reptiles

 

1

Spare tyre compartment

2

Exhibits in situ

3

Bearded dragon

 

Iguana