NParks confiscate leopard tortoise, spiny-tailed monitor & other endangered animals in Oct. 9 raids

The National Parks Board (NParks) carried out a series of coordinated raids across Singapore on Oct. 9, 2025.

These operations targeted individuals suspected of engaging in illegal wildlife trade through online platforms, including Telegram.

A total of six premises were raided, resulting in the seizure of 16 wildlife specimens.

Among the confiscated animals were endangered species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), such as yellow-headed day geckos, a leopard tortoise, a spiny-tailed monitor, and an Argentine black and white tegu.

The animals are currently being housed and cared for at NParks’ Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Individuals involved were interviewed in connection with illegal wildlife sales, and investigations are currently ongoing.

The illegal trade of wildlife, including non-CITES species, is regulated under the amended Wildlife Act.

Under the Wildlife Act, a person must not offer for sale, sell or export any wildlife (whether alive or dead), or any part of a wildlife, unless the person has the Director-General’s written approval to do so.

Any individual found to have violated the laws may be fined up to S$50,000, jailed up to two years, or both.

Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, individuals found guilty of illegally importing CITES Appendix I specimens face fines of up to S$100,000 per specimen (not exceeding an aggregate of S$500,000 or the market value of all specimens at the material time, whichever is higher) and imprisonment of up to six years.

For Appendix II and III specimens, the penalties include fines of up to S$50,000 per specimen and imprisonment of up to four years.

Images from NParks