SINGAPORE, Oct 20 — A leopard tortoise and a spiny-tailed monitor lizard were among endangered animals seized by Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks) during a series of island-wide raids earlier this month aimed at curbing the illegal wildlife trade.
According to The Straits Times, NParks said in a statement today that six premises were raided on October 9, leading to the seizure of 16 wildlife specimens.
The operation targeted individuals suspected of selling wildlife illegally through online platforms, including the messaging app Telegram.
Among the rescued animals were yellow-headed day geckos and an Argentine black-and-white tegu.
All are now being cared for at NParks’ Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation in Lim Chu Kang.
“These enforcement efforts complement NParks’ border surveillance operations by extending the fight against illegal wildlife trade into domestic physical and online marketplaces,” the agency said.
It added that regular monitoring and targeted actions ensure offenders are held accountable “across all fronts”.
Investigations are ongoing, and those involved have been interviewed in connection with the illegal sales.
The raids come after The Straits Times reported in 2023 that at least six Telegram groups were illegally peddling more than 35 species of wildlife as pets, with one group boasting 16,000 members.
