Axolotls, tarantulas and pythons among 101 exotic animals seized in one of Singapore's biggest wildlife raids: NParks新加坡国家公园局（NParks）在一次规模空前的野生动物突击行动中查获了101种外来动物，其中包括墨西哥钝口螈、狼蛛和蟒蛇。
More than 100 exotic animals, including axolotls, leopard geckos, tarantulas and pig-nosed turtles, were seized during coordinated raids targeting six individuals suspected of illegally selling or possessing wildlife.The National Parks Board (NParks) said on Wednesday (Sept 16) that 101 specimens were recovered from the six individuals' residential premises during simultaneous raids conducted on Sept 14.The operation was part of one...
More than 100 exotic animals, including axolotls, leopard geckos, tarantulas and pig-nosed turtles, were seized during coordinated raids targeting six individuals suspected of illegally selling or possessing wildlife.
The National Parks Board (NParks) said on Wednesday (Sept 16) that 101 specimens were recovered from the six individuals' residential premises during simultaneous raids conducted on Sept 14.
The operation was part of one of NParks' largest seizures of illegally kept wildlife in recent years.
The operation was conducted after the animals were advertised for sale on online platforms, noting that several of the species are also protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).
The agency added that among the animals seized also included armadillo girdled lizards, blue beauty anoles, Mount Elliot leaf-tailed geckos, and rosy boas.
13 animals found dead
Among the animals seized, NParks noted that some had also died due to the poor conditions in which they were kept, likely as a result of insufficient space, poor ventilation and inadequate access to food and water.
"Just for this operation alone, there were 13 wildlife specimens that were found dead on site, and there were also other animals that we observed to be in very poor welfare conditions," said Teoh.
Several of the surviving animals were also found to be in poor health.
Among them was a leopard gecko with a ruptured and infected eye that was also unable to shed its skin fully. It was subsequently euthanised on animal welfare grounds, said NParks.
The agency added that the animal's condition was highly indicative of a long period spent in captivity under poor conditions.
Other leopard geckos and axolotls were also found to be lethargic and in poor body condition.
During a media tour of NParks' centre for wildlife rehabilitation, the media were shown some of the surviving animals housed at the facility.
The animals were seen undergoing mandatory quarantine before being assessed for possible repatriation or donation to animal establishments, such as zoos.
NParks said the quarantine period is necessary as the animals came from unknown sources and may harbour diseases that can infect other animals and humans.
'Enforcement alone is not enough'
While investigations into the six individuals are ongoing, NParks' director of enforcement and investigation Joshua Teoh said the latest operation is part of its wider efforts to tackle the illegal wildlife trade, with public education also playing an important role.
"Such operations are part of NParks' ongoing efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade, and we recognise that enforcement alone is not enough," said Teoh.
"I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the illegal wildlife trade has serious and far-reaching consequences," he said.
"When you purchase any illegally imported product, it fuels demand, and this will eventually drive endangered species to the brink of extinction."
Teoh also warned of the potential health risks associated with the illegal wildlife trade.
"Smuggled animals, including wildlife of unknown health status, may also carry zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans, and this poses significant health risks."
Under the amended Wildlife Act, a person cannot offer for sale, sell or export wildlife, whether alive or dead, or any part of wildlife.
Offenders may be fined up to $50,000, sentenced to up to two years' imprisonment, or both.
If an individual is found guilty of illegally importing Cites-listed species, they may face a maximum fine of $100,000 per specimen and a maximum imprisonment term of six years.
xingying.koh@asiaone.com
在针对六名涉嫌非法出售或持有野生动物的个人的联合突袭行动中，警方查获了 100 多只珍稀动物，包括墨西哥钝口螈、豹纹守宫、狼蛛和猪鼻龟。
国家公园局（NParks）周三（9月16日）表示，在9月14日同时进行的突击搜查中，从这6个人的住所中查获了101个标本。
此次行动是国家公园局近年来规模最大的非法饲养野生动物查获行动之一。
此次行动是在这些动物在网上平台刊登出售广告后进行的，值得注意的是，其中几个物种也受到《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》（CITES）的保护。
该机构补充说，查获的动物中还包括犰狳环蜥、蓝美人蜥、埃利奥特山叶尾壁虎和玫瑰蟒。
发现13只动物死亡
国家公园局指出，在查获的动物中，有些也因饲养条件恶劣而死亡，可能是由于空间不足、通风不良以及食物和水供应不足造成的。
“仅这次行动，我们就发现了 13 只野生动物尸体，而且我们还观察到其他一些动物的福利状况非常差，” Teoh 说。
一些幸存的动物也被发现健康状况不佳。
其中一只豹纹守宫眼睛破裂感染，且无法完全蜕皮。国家公园局表示，出于动物福利考虑，这只守宫随后被实施了安乐死。
该机构补充说，这只动物的状况强烈表明它长期被囚禁在恶劣的条件下。
其他豹纹守宫和墨西哥钝口螈也被发现精神萎靡，身体状况不佳。
在一次媒体参观国家公园局野生动物救助中心的活动中，媒体参观了该中心收容的一些幸存动物。
这些动物在接受评估以确定是否可以遣返或捐赠给动物机构（如动物园）之前，都接受了强制隔离。
国家公园局表示，由于这些动物来源不明，可能携带可感染其他动物和人类的疾病，因此隔离期是必要的。
“单靠执法是不够的”
虽然对这六名涉案人员的调查仍在进行中，但国家公园局执法和调查主任张耀华表示，此次行动是该局打击非法野生动物贸易的更广泛努力的一部分，公众教育也发挥了重要作用。
“此类行动是国家公园局持续打击非法野生动物贸易工作的一部分，我们也认识到，仅靠执法是不够的，” Teoh 说。
“我想借此机会提醒大家，非法野生动物贸易会造成严重而深远的后果，”他说。
“购买任何非法进口产品都会刺激需求，最终将濒危物种推向灭绝的边缘。”
Teoh还警告说，非法野生动物贸易可能带来健康风险。
“走私动物，包括健康状况不明的野生动物，也可能携带人畜共患病，这些疾病会传染给人类，从而造成严重的健康风险。”
根据修订后的野生动物法，任何人不得出售、提供出售或出口野生动物，无论死活，或其任何部分。
违法者可被处以最高 5 万美元的罚款，或最高两年的监禁，或两者并罚。
如果某人被认定非法进口《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》（CITES）所列物种，则可能面临每件标本最高 10 万美元的罚款和最高 6 年的监禁。
邢英.koh@asiaone.com