XN000022-1996-06-14 — Page 14

-

12 -

Trading in endangered species could end up in jail

Trading in endangered species could face very heavy fines or even jail terms if convicted by the courts.

The message was issued by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) after a 47-year-old man was sentenced this (Friday) morning by North Kowloon Magistracy to 15 months' imprisonment for selling endangered species in Kowloon late last year.

This is the first ever immediate prison term handed down to a defendant convicted under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance. A six-month suspended jail sentence had been imposed in 1991.

An AFD spokesman said since the hefty increase in penalties under the ordinance became effective early last year, the courts had been delivering much heavier penalties on offenders lately.

The spokesman hoped that the jail sentence could serve as a serious deterrence.

"Under the ordinance, any person found guilty of possessing, importing or exporting highly endangered species for commercial purpose is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and two years' imprisonment," he said.

Endangered species include live specimens, their parts, derivatives and medicines containing or claiming to contain tiger or rhino ingredients.

North Kowloon Magistracy heard that acting on information, AFD field officers raided a shop in Mong Kok in mid-December last year, resulting the seizure of two Asiatic black bear paws, three live giant salamanders and two pangolin carcasses. Both Asiatic black bear and giant salamander are classified as highly endangered species.

The 47-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty this morning to the offence but was convicted after a trial.

The spokesman also took the opportunity to urge members of the public to refrain from buying endangered species from illegal sources.

End