Shop owner fined $41,000 for illegal wildlife

This article is more than 12 months old

Mar 19, 2015 06:00 am

An aquarium shop owner was fined $41,000 yesterday for the possession and sale of illegal wildlife.

Last April 2, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore officers conducted a surprise inspection on Wu Hu Aquarium following a tip-off and found 22 illegal animals there. These included sturgeons, paddlefish, newts, clawed frogs and turtles.

Investigations showed that all the animals had been imported into Singapore without the relevant permits. The animals have been sent to Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) permits are required for any import, export and re-export of Cites species.

Penalties for infringing the Act include fines of up to $50,000 per scheduled species (not exceeding a maximum aggregate of $500,000) and/or up to two years' jail.