Press Releases
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Public reminded not to bring back endangered species Members of the public are reminded not bring back items of endangered species on their return from visits to other countries during the Christmas and New Year holidays. This appeal was made today (Monday) by an Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) spokesman after the conviction of an air passenger on December 16. A 48-years old Taiwanese was found by Customs officers to have in his bag a live gibbon when he was passing through Customs clearance on 14 December. The man was charged and was fined $20,000 for illegal import of a live baby gibbon at a court hearing two days later. No import or export of Gibbon is allowed except under very exceptional circumstances as the animal is a highly endangered species. The spokesman pointed out that some of the returning travellers were at times found by Customs and Excise officers at control points to have brought in endangered species. Statistics indicate that items seized from travellers at checkpoints include crocodile meat, crocodile skin handbags, giant clam shells and coral skeletons from South-east Asian countries; parrots and bear bile powder from the Mainland and American ginseng roots from USA. "Any person importing endangered species items without a licence would have contravened the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance. This control measure also applies to all individuals including travellers," said the spokesman. "Any person found guilty of importing, exporting or possessing any endangered species, including their parts and derivatives, without a licence issued by AFD, is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and two years' imprisonment," he added. The spokesman also took the opportunity to urge members of the public to report any illegal activities on endangered species to AFD's Endangered Species Protection Division on 2733 2144. |
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