SINGAPORE, June 27 (Xinhua) -- A 49-year-old Singaporean who carried 22 live star tortoises, under the care of the Wildlife Reserves Singapore, were caught by officials from Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) on June 23, said ICA and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) in a joint release on Monday.
ICA said a Singapore-registered car driven by the male was referred for further checks upon arrival at the Woodlands Checkpoint at about 1:00 p.m. on June 23. ICA officers uncovered 22 live star tortoises kept in a bag, placed amongst other bags of groceries in the car boot during the inspection.
AVA was immediately alerted, and the Singaporean and the tortoises were handed over to the authority, according to the joint release. The Singaporean was assisting AVA with investigations.
Star tortoises are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), for which Singapore is a signatory.
Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, the import and export/re-export of star tortoises require CITES permits. Offenders in violation of this Act can be fined up to 50,000 Singapore dollars (36,870 U.S. dollars) per animal, and/or face a jail term of up to two years.
