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.
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