Customs officials at Hong Kong International Airport seized 42 endangered live lizards hidden in an air consignment from Australia. The lizards were discovered in a shipment declared to contain dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and milk powder, with an estimated market value of $27,000. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further action. Anyone found violating Hong Kong’s protection laws for endangered species could face a maximum fine of $10 million and 10 years in prison, with the specimens forfeited.
In 2024, Hong Kong authorities made approximately 550 seizures of endangered plant and animal species, including live orchids and American ginseng. Last September, a 45-year-old Chinese woman was convicted of smuggling 64 endangered turtles into Hong Kong from Tokyo. She received an 18-month jail sentence for wrapping some turtles in socks and packing others in plastic boxes. These incidents highlight the ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking in Hong Kong and the serious consequences for those involved.
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