Man jailed in Hong Kong for smuggling eggs of endangered parrot species.

A man was sentenced to 16 months in jail for smuggling 62 eggs and hatchlings of endangered parrot species.

The local man who flew to Hong Kong on November 8, 2020 from Johannesburg, South Africa, was intercepted at the arrivals hall of the Hong Kong International Airport. A white metal case was found in his backpack, in which 62 bird eggs and hatchlings were found. 

The eggs and hatchlings were confirmed to be parrot species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora after the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department investigations. 

The man was subsequently charged with illegal import of specimens of Appendix II species scheduled to the Ordinance and was convicted at the District Court.

With 24 months' imprisonment as the starting point for sentencing, the defendant was sentenced to 16 months behind bars after reduction for his guilty plea.

Any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of HK$10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Parrot populations have been decimated by illegal trade which incentivises poaching in the wild worldwide. With the exception of four species, all parrots have been listed on the CITES Appendices since 1981 and regulated under the Ordinance in Hong Kong.

Main Source: Info.Govt