A man was accused of bringing more than 5, 000 terrapins from Singapore to India into his suitcases on Wednesday ( Mar 20 ).
The Wildlife Act and the Animals and Birds Act each gave Rafique Syed Hariza Ali Hussain, 40, one command each.
According to command plates, he reportedly exported 5, 160 reddish- download turtles from Singapore’s Changi Airport to India’s Coimbatore International Airport in Tamil Nadu on Nov 7, 2023.
The turtles, which are also known as red- download slides, are considered animals under Singapore’s Wildlife Act. They were supposedly packed into Rafique’s two personalized luggage.
Rafique is charged with second-degree felony of failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent the turtles from suffering inexorably.
The , American national and Singapore continuous native reportedly packed and concealed the animals in his luggage, which were not ventilated, subjecting them to unnecessary anguish.
Red-eared slides are indigenous to North America, according to a National Parks Board post about non-native biodiversity in Singapore.
They are the most common crocodiles in the pet industry and one of the World’s 100 Worst Invasive Alien Species, the post stated.
The post continued, stating that these turtles pose a” major threat to our local watery biodiversity” and that they are frequently purchased as juveniles before being discarded by pet owners once they mature.
Rafique was given a$ 35, 000 loan and is scheduled to appear in court again next quarter.
He said he could get bailed out by his Malaysian companion, or by his wife or daughter.
For shipping habitat without written assent, he could be jailed for up to a month, fined up to S$ 10, 000, or both.
He may face up to increase the penalty because his fee is amalgamated or grouped together all the turtles involved.
For failing to ensure that the turtles were not suffering excessively, he could be jailed for up to a month, fined up to S$ 10, 000, or both.
As this demand is likewise amalgamated, he may face up to half the penalties.