National Parks Board officers in Singapore seized 101 illegally kept wild animals during simultaneous raids across six residential properties on Sept.
These conditions are highly indicative of a long period of time captive under poor conditions.
Among the surviving wildlife, an emaciated leopard gecko was found with a ruptured and infected eye and an inability to shed its skin fully, prompting veterinarians to euthanise...
National Parks Board officers in Singapore seized 101 illegally kept wild animals during simultaneous raids across six residential properties on Sept. 14, marking the agency’s largest wildlife seizure operation since 2021, according to an official media release and reports from The Straits Times and Channel NewsAsia.
The operation uncovered a range of non-native species that are prohibited from being sold, offered for sale, or kept as pets in Singapore, including sugar gliders, snakes, turtles, tarantulas, scorpions, and axolotls.
Thirteen of the seized animals were found dead at the residential premises, according to reporting by Goody Feed and Channel NewsAsia. NParks officials stated that the deaths and poor health conditions of the surviving animals were likely caused by prolonged captivity in cramped containers, poor ventilation, and inadequate access to food and water.
Among the surviving wildlife, an emaciated leopard gecko was found with a ruptured and infected eye and an inability to shed its skin fully, prompting veterinarians to euthanise it on animal welfare grounds, according to The Straits Times. Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation veterinarian Erin Tan noted that staff spent roughly 12 hours checking and quarantining the animals following the raid.
NParks’ director for enforcement and investigation Joshua Teoh told media during a Sept. 16 briefing that six individuals are currently under investigation for suspected illegal possession and the sale of wildlife on social media platforms. Teoh declined to comment on whether the case involved illegal breeding or smuggling, noting that investigations remain ongoing.
Protected Species and Strict Penalties Under Singapore Law
Several of the seized specimens are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly known as CITES. These regulated species include the armadillo girdled lizard, ball python, blue beauty anole, mount elliot leaf-tailed gecko, pig-nosed turtle, grey banded kingsnake, and rosy boa.
Under Singapore’s Wildlife Act, individuals found guilty of illegally selling, offering for sale, or exporting wildlife face fines of up to S$50,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Those convicted of illegally importing living wildlife into the country face fines of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to a year, or both, as reported by The Straits Times.
For specimens protected under CITES, violations of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act carry harsher penalties, including fines of up to S$50,000 per specimen, a prison term of up to four years, or both.
Quarantine and Rehabilitation Process at NParks Facility
The 101 seized animals are currently housed at the Animal and Plant Health Centre, where they have been placed under a mandatory quarantine period ranging from one month to six months, according to The Straits Times. NParks stated that the isolation period is necessary because the animals originate from unknown sources and may carry diseases capable of spreading to other animals and humans.
Once the quarantine concludes, wildlife officers and veterinarians will evaluate each animal’s health and suitability for repatriation or donation to established animal facilities such as zoos, with euthanasia maintained strictly as a last resort, according to NParks.
Members of the public with information regarding suspected wildlife smuggling, poaching, or illegal pet trade activities can submit feedback online or contact the NParks Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.
Photo: straitstimes.com101 illegally kept animals seized during NParks raids across Singapore
