SINGAPORE – Endangered animals, including a leopard tortoise and a spiny-tailed monitor lizard, were seized in raids on Oct 9 by the National Parks Board (NParks) as part of efforts to stop the illegal wildlife trade.
In a statement on Oct 20, NParks said the islandwide raids targeted people suspected of illegally trading wildlife through online platforms, including messaging app Telegram.
Six premises were raided and 16 wildlife specimens were seized, it said.
Among them were two species of lizards – yellow-headed day geckos and an Argentine black-and-white tegu.
The animals are currently being housed and cared for at NParks’ Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation in Lim Chu Kang.
Investigations are ongoing, and the people involved have been interviewed in connection with illegal wildlife sales, NParks said.
“These enforcement efforts complement NParks’ border surveillance operations by extending the fight against illegal wildlife trade into domestic physical and online marketplaces,” it said.
The seized central bearded dragon.
PHOTO: NEA
NParks added that through regular monitoring and targeted actions, it makes sure that offenders are held accountable across all fronts.
