XN000022-1982-05-03 — Page 4

MONDAY, MAY 3, 1982

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WARNING ABOUT BRINGING IN ENDANGERED ANIMALS

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HEAVY FINES HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON 11 PEOPLE FOR ILLEGALLY IMPORTING ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS INTO HONG KONG.

IN SEPARATE COURT CASES OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, NINE MEN AND TWO WOMEN WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $18 950 FOR BRINGING IN LIVE BUZZARDS, LIVE AND DEAD OWLS, A DEAD PANGOLIN AND COOKED PANGOLIN MEAT AND FUR SKINS OF LEOPARD CATS.

ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS WAS FINED $2 000 FOR BRINGING IN TWO FUR SKINS OF LEOPARD CATS AND ONE DEAD PANGOLIN.

THEY WERE PROSECUTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE WHICH IS THE LOCAL LEGISLATION GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).

THE LAW PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 ON CONVICTION FOR A FIRST OFFENCE, AND UP TO $10 000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT FOR SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS AGAIN WARNED THAT RESIDENTS RETURNING TO HONG KONG AFTER VISITS ABROAD SHOULD NOT BRING BACK SOUVENIRS OF LIVE OR PRESERVED ANIMALS AND PLANTS LISTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.

DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR 182 PEOPLE WERE CONVICTED AND FINED $52 000 FOR IMPORTING ENDANGERED SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS INTO HONG KONG.

HE SAID RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN POSSESSION OF LIVE ANIMALS SUCH AS OWLS, PANGOLINS AND EAGLES AS WELL AS STUFFED SEA TURTLES AND ANIMAL SKINS.

SOME RARE PLANTS, INCLUDING WILD ORCHIDS AND WILD AMERICAN GINSENG ARE ALSO PROTECTED SPECIES.

PARTS OF SOME ANIMALS ARE ALSO PROTECTED UNDER THE LAW.

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