Customs officials at Hong Kong International Airport seized 42 endangered live lizards hidden inside an air consignment falsely declared as dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and cans of milk powder from Australia. The lizards were estimated to be worth 210,000 Hong Kong dollars. The case was passed on to the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department for further action. Importers, exporters, or possessors of endangered species in violation of Hong Kong’s protection laws face a maximum fine of HK$10 million and 10 years in prison, with the specimens confiscated.
In 2024, Hong Kong authorities made 550 seizures of endangered plant and animal species, including live orchids and American ginseng. In September, a 45-year-old woman from China was sentenced to 18 months in jail for smuggling 64 endangered turtles into Hong Kong. The woman arrived from Tokyo with some turtles wrapped in socks and others packed in small plastic boxes.
These cases highlight the ongoing issue of wildlife trafficking and the importance of enforcing laws to protect endangered species. Hong Kong is a major hub for illegal wildlife trade, and authorities are continuing to crack down on such activities to preserve biodiversity and combat the illegal wildlife trade.
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