CAMPAIGNS

ILLEGAL PET TRADE

UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ILLEGAL PET TRADE

In 2005, Acres embarked on an undercover investigation into the illegal pet trade in Singapore . This followed on from several sightings of prohibited animals being openly on sale in pet shops throughout Singapore . Acres decided to investigate further the extent of this illegal trade and establish which animals were being sold illegally and by which shops.

Acres surveyed a total of 100 pet shops throughout Singapore and used hidden cameras to record instances of illegal animal trading. The results were then passed to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

Results of investigation

The results of the survey were startling, with an alarmingly high number of illegal animals were found being traded, most quite openly.

One in five pet shops (20%) was found to be selling prohibited animals, in contravention of local laws. In total, 111 animals were recorded on sale, mostly of species which face a high risk of extinction in the wild according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

In many cases, the prohibited animals were on sale openly. However, in some cases the animals were hidden away, and shop keepers were caught on film admitting that selling these animals was illegal.

A total of five species of non-native animals were found being illegally sold, in contravention of local laws and international agreement. These were the Chinese softshell turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis ), the Chinese stripe-necked turtle ( Ocadia sinensis ), the pig-nosed turtle ( Carettochelys insculpta ), the Australian snake-necked turtle ( Chelodina longicollis ) and the Asian yellow pond turtle ( Mauremys mutica ).

The Chinese stripe-necked turtle is a species not before encountered by Acres being traded in Singapore . This species is listed as endangered on the IUCN redlist and faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild but was, however, found openly on sale in many of the shops. The Chinese softshell turtle and the pig-nosed turtle similarly face a high risk of extinction in the wild.

The law in Singapore

Most wild animals are prohibited as pets in Singapore . The list of prohibited species includes primates, amphibians, reptiles (except the red-eared slider), many species of birds and some types of fish. It is illegal to import, export, or introduce these species without a permit. The sale or even display of these animals is an offence under Singapore law.

Pet shops in possession of prohibited species contravene the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, the Wild Animals and Bird Act and the Birds and Animals Act. The Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act is Singapore 's national legislation that gives effect to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to control import and export of endangered species in Singapore.

Outcome of investigation

The results of the survey, including a list of all the shops selling illegal animals and details of how many animals and of what species were being sold at each shop, were presented to the AVA, together with all the undercover footage obtained.

On the 27 th of June 2005, officers from the Acres Wildlife Rescue Team and the AVA raided three pet shops that had been found selling illegal animals. A total of forty seven animals were confiscated.

Some shopkeepers claimed ignorance, especially in the case of the Chinese stripe-necked turtle, which they claimed they thought was the red-eared slider (the only reptile allowed to be sold in Singapore ). However, this is very hard to believe as the two species look very different. Added to this, all shops were selling the two species at different prices so they obviously knew they were different!

A press conference was held by Acres on the 22 nd of July to reveal the findings of the survey. The story received widespread coverage in local newspapers including Today, The Straits Times and LianHe Wan Bao, and was also covered by Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

The current situation

Acres continues to keep a watch on pet shops and we are pleased to say that we have not seen the Chinese stripe-necked turtle on sale since the investigattion. Hopefully this species has been successfully intercepted from entering the trade as a result of our investigation and subsequent action.

When we do see illegal animals on sale in pet shops we continue to immediately alert the AVA.

Take action!

You can help us to be our eyes and ears. If you see any prohibited animals on sale illegally in pet shops, please call the Acres Wildlife Crime Hotline on 97837782.

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