July 30, 2020, 12:20 PM
Seven baby leopard tortoises were found in a Malaysia-registered lorry at Woodlands Checkpoint, on July 22, 2020.
The lorry driver and another male subject are currently assisting NParks with investigations.
The tortoises were taken in by the Wildlife Reserves Singapore
According to Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), officers found the tortoises inside a white cardboard box, hidden behind the driver's seat while conducting physical checks.
Image via ICA.
The tortoises have since been taken in by the Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
Image via ICA.
Leopard tortoises are protected under The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Under the Endangered Species (import and export) Act, the penalty for the importation of scheduled species without a CITES permit is a fine not exceeding S$500,000, and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
ICA said that this method of concealment is "a cause for concern", as similar methods may be used by people with ill intent to smuggle other items into Singapore.
You may see ICA's full Facebook post here:
Top image via ICA.
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