A traveller who smuggled endangered turtles was convicted at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (April 10) for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586).
 
     A spokesman of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that 98 three-keeled land tortoises, 27 Indian pond turtles, two Bengal roof turtles and one Pangshura turtle were found by Customs officers inside the luggage of the 26-year-old man who arrived from Dhaka, Bangladesh, yesterday (April 9).
 
     Subsequent to a follow-up investigation, the AFCD charged the man with the illegal import of endangered species. The man was sentenced to imprisonment for two months and four weeks for smuggling species listed in Appendix I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (the Convention) respectively, which are to run concurrently.
 
     Three-keeled land tortoises and Indian pond turtles are listed in Appendix I to the Convention, while Bengal roof turtles and Pangshura species are listed in Appendix II. They are regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
 
     Any person importing, exporting or re-exporting endangered species not in accordance with the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years. The smuggled species will be forfeited upon conviction.
 
     To enquire about the importation of endangered species and to report illegal imports, the public can call 1823 or visit the website www.cites.hk.

Ends/Monday, April 10, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:18

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