Singapore witnessed a decrease in animal smuggling cases in 2025, according to a joint statement released by NParks and ICA. Despite the drop, authorities emphasize the ongoing threats posed by illegal wildlife trade and the importance of continued enforcement and community involvement.
The National Parks Board (NParks) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) released a joint statement on Friday, February 13th, highlighting a significant decrease in animal smuggling cases in Singapore for the year 2025. The agencies reported a 33 percent drop, with 28 cases detected compared to 42 in 2024.
NParks emphasized that the detected cases, handled in collaboration with partner agencies like ICA, involved a range of animals including pets and wildlife intended for the pet trade. These included dogs, cats, various species of fish and birds, and even species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The nature of the cases, as well as the types of animals smuggled, highlights the complex nature of the illegal trade. Of the 28 cases identified last year, legal action was taken in 8, resulting in court charges. The remaining 20 cases were resolved with composition fines issued to the offenders, including individuals who purchased the smuggled animals. This shows a diversified approach taken by authorities, employing various methods to deter the illegal activity.\NParks underscored the multifaceted dangers posed by animal smuggling. The agency stressed that the practice not only inflicts harm on the animals themselves but also introduces significant risks to public health and safety. Smuggled animals can carry infectious and contagious diseases which pose a threat to the local wildlife, resident pets, and even humans. The statement cited a specific example from March 2025, where a man was apprehended at Tuas Checkpoint while attempting to smuggle three puppies. The puppies were subsequently tested and found to be carrying highly contagious viruses that can lead to severe illness or death. The culprit in this case was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail. Furthermore, the agency warned that the illegal wildlife trade is also a serious threat to the survival of endangered species, and a contributor to habitat destruction, which further complicates the issues. An instance was provided from October 2025, when a man was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint for trying to smuggle a white-rumped shama from Malaysia. Tragically, the bird had been cruelly confined inside a cylindrical plastic tube, sealed at both ends with cloth, and hidden inside a jacket bag; it later perished due to lack of food and severe discomfort. The individual involved was sentenced to four weeks imprisonment. Several other incidents involving smuggling were also mentioned, which consisted of around 2,500 red-eared sliders, an albino raccoon, and four yellow-faced mynas, among others. NParks stated that many of these smuggled animals were found to be in poor health, with several discovered already deceased. These instances reveal the cruelty and significant animal welfare concerns associated with the illegal practice.\NParks detailed a number of successful, coordinated enforcement operations, which led to the seizure of additional illegal wildlife, including endangered species listed under CITES. Among the seized animals were yellow-headed day geckos, a leopard tortoise, a spiny-tailed monitor, and an Argentine black and white tegu. Jessica Kwok, NParks' group director of enforcement and investigation, spoke on the issue stating that tackling animal smuggling requires a multifaceted approach, involving robust enforcement combined with active community engagement. Kwok highlighted the close collaboration between NParks and ICA, along with other partner agencies, to fortify surveillance and enforcement efforts aimed at deterring the illegal trade of pets and wildlife. Beyond this, Kwok also emphasized the significant role the community has to play in helping to combat smuggling. Under the Animals and Birds Act, offenders found guilty of importing any animal or bird without the required licenses are liable to face penalties including fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both. Regarding offenses pertaining to endangered species, the penalties are significantly stricter. Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, penalties can range from fines of up to $50,000 per specimen and a prison sentence of up to four years, to fines of up to $100,000 per specimen and a jail term of up to six years, contingent on the specific species involved and the severity of the offense. These penalties show the government's approach towards tackling the issue of illegal animal smuggling
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