A 42-year-old man has been fined $4,700 for keeping illegal wildlife, including venomous exotic snakes, rare turtles and a giant black scorpion.

According to a statement from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) on Thursday (2 November), Lau Kin Wei Clement was sentenced in court on the same day for the possession of illegal wildlife. As he did not pay the fine, he was jailed 23 days in default.

The animals comprise two Wagler’s pit vipers, a paradise tree snake, a painted bronzeback snake, a common snapping turtle, an alligator snapping turtle and a giant black scorpion. They are currently in the care of Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

The case stemmed from an AVA investigation that took place last November. It is an offence in Singapore to possess any illegal wildlife species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna or Flora (CITES). The alligator snapping turtle is an example of a CITES-protected species.

“Offenders shall be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $500,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment, and to the forfeiture of the wild animal. It is also an offence to keep wild animals not protected by CITES, including the Wagler’s pit viper and the common snapping turtle. Offenders shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and to the forfeiture of the wild animal,” said an AVA spokesman.

AVA noted that wild animals are not suitable pets as some may transmit zoonotic diseases to humans and can be a public safety risk if mishandled, or if they escape into Singapore’s dense urban environment. In this case, the species seized can inflict painful bites and some are venomous.

In addition, wild animals that are non-native to Singapore may be a threat to our biodiversity if released into the environment. Demand for such animals fuels illegal wildlife trade, which severely impacts the wild populations of numerous species.

Members of the public with information on such illicit activities can contact AVA at 6805 2992 or via AVA’s online feedback form. All information shared with AVA will be kept strictly confidential.

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