Press Releases
Man sentenced for importing endangered turtles
Monday, September 29, 2014
A 27 year-old man was fined $180,000 at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts today (September 29) for the illegal import of endangered species. Ends
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that the man, who arrived from Jakarta on August 29, was intercepted in the arrivals hall of the Hong Kong International Airport by Customs officers. In his luggage, 358 black pond turtles and 266 Indian roofed turtles were found. The man was prosecuted following investigations by the AFCD.
The black pond turtle and Indian roofed turtle are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). They have a restricted range of distribution in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
The black pond turtles and Indian roofed turtles are being kept temporarily at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), where they are under close observation and veterinary care. The AFCD, in collaboration with KFBG, will later explore suitable placement options for the endangered turtles for conservation purposes in accordance with international guidelines.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586), the import, export, re-export or possession of any endangered species requires a licence issued from the AFCD in advance. Any person found guilty of importing, exporting, re-exporting or possessing any endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million, imprisonment for two years and mandatory forfeiture of the specimens.
Members of the public are reminded to comply with the regulations and assist in preventing the extinction of endangered species.
In addition, the public should be aware that animals should not be brought into Hong Kong, whether for import or transshipment/transit, unless a special permit to do so is obtained in advance from the AFCD.
To enquire about the import of endangered species and report illegal import cases, the public can call 1823 and AFCD, or visit the website www.cites.hk.
