South African man sentenced to 16 months in prison for smuggling 62 endangered parrot eggs and chicks

​A local man arrived in Hong Kong from South Africa in 2020 with 62 parrot eggs and newly hatched chicks in his backpack. He was intercepted at the airport. After investigation by the Fisheries and Conservation Department, it was confirmed that the bird species concerned was an endangered species. The man violated the " Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Chapter 586), was convicted in the District Court today (1st) and sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment.

The man was convicted in the District Court today (1st) and sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment.

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On November 8, 2020, a local man arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa, and was intercepted at the arrival hall of Hong Kong International Airport. A white metal box was found in his backpack, which contained 62 bird eggs and just Hatchling chicks.

As the birds' eggs and chicks may be involved in violation of the Ordinance, they were seized for further investigation.

After follow-up investigation, the AFCD confirmed that the eggs and chicks of the bird belonged to the parrot species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and prosecuted the man for illegally importing specimens of species listed in Appendix II of the Ordinance.

The man was convicted at the District Court and sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment today.

The department pointed out that the parrot population has been greatly reduced due to wild poaching caused by illegal trade.

Except for 4 species, all parrot species have been included in the appendix of the Convention in 1981 and are regulated by the Ordinance in Hong Kong.

Anyone who imports, exports or possesses endangered species not in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance commits an offense. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. The relevant items will also be confiscated.