Two Thai men arrested for smuggling parrot eggs at Johannesburg airport

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South African authorities arrested two Thai nationals at OR Tambo International Airport in separate incidents involving the attempted smuggling of parrot eggs. A 23-year-old man was apprehended on 16 July with 418 eggs, while a 50-year-old man was detained on 20 August with 50 eggs, both using homemade incubators. These arrests were the result of a joint operation involving the Environmental Management Inspectorate and police units focused on addressing the trafficking of species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).

Consequences

The arrested individuals face potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of 10 million rand, or both, as prescribed for the illegal export of Cites-listed species. Furthermore, staff at the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria continue to provide veterinary care to the surviving chicks hatched from the seized eggs to ensure their survival.

Sources

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