More than 30 exotic wild animals, including Indian star tortoise, ball python and other highly endangered species, have been siezed from a Singapore flat, in the city's largest haul of illegal wildlife in over a decade.
The house owner if found guilty, could be jailed for two years and fined up to Singapore dollars 500,000 (USD 297,000), the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said in a statement.
Following a tip off, the AVA seized over 30 wild animals from an individual living in a flat earlier this month, the statement said.
The seizure, which includes highly endangered and threatened species like the slow loris, marmoset, Indian star tortoise and ball python, is AVA's largest inland seizure of wildlife since 2002.
These animals are not allowed to be kept as pets in Singapore.
The seized animals have been sent to the Wildlife Reserves Singapore for proper care and custody.
A man is currently assisting AVA in the investigations.
In Singapore, a permit is required for any import and export of animals.
In addition, as Singapore is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), it is an offence to be in possession or to trade in any illegally imported or acquired CITES species.
