Hong Kong Customs Seizes Suspected Endangered Reptiles Worth About $173,800 at Airport; Man Arrested for Illegal Importation

Hong Kong Customs seizes reptiles of suspected scheduled endangered species

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 9) seized seven snakes, 19 lizards and five turtles of suspected endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $173,800, at Hong Kong International Airport.

A 31-year-old incoming local man arrived in Hong Kong from the Netherlands via Shanghai yesterday. He was intercepted for customs clearance at the arrival hall of the airport. Customs officers found the batch of reptiles inside his check-in baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the batch of reptiles was suspected to be endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong. The man was subsequently arrested by Customs officers. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.

The arrested man will be charged by the AFCD with one count of illegal import of an Appendix II species and one count of cruelty to animals.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, 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 $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Also, according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169), any person who, by wantonly or unreasonably doing or omitting to do any act, causes any unnecessary suffering to any animal commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for three years upon conviction.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 9) seized seven snakes, 19 lizards and five turtles of suspected endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $173,800, at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows one of the turtles of suspected endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 9) seized seven snakes, 19 lizards and five turtles of suspected endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $173,800, at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows one of the lizards of suspected endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 9) seized seven snakes, 19 lizards and five turtles of suspected endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $173,800, at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows one of the lizards of suspected endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 9) seized seven snakes, 19 lizards and five turtles of suspected endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $173,800, at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows one of the snakes of suspected endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Applications open for Sir Edward Youde Memorial Overseas Fellowships and Scholarships 2027/28

The following is issued on behalf of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council:

The Sir Edward Youde Memorial (SEYM) Fund Council reminded interested applicants today (August 3) that the SEYM Overseas Fellowships and Scholarships and the SEYM Overseas Fellowships and Scholarships for Disabled Students for the 2027/28 academic year have been open for applications since June 22. The closing date is September 4, 2026.

The fellowships and scholarships aim at encouraging outstanding students to pursue further studies in renowned institutions overseas. Awardees should aspire to contribute to Hong Kong and be ready to give back to the community upon graduation.

The fellowships are for overseas studies leading to postgraduate degrees either by research or coursework. The maximum value of a fellowship is HK$300,000 per year, tenable for up to three years for a doctoral degree or two years for a master's degree. The scholarships are for overseas studies leading to undergraduate degrees. The maximum value of a scholarship is HK$280,000 per year, tenable for up to three years.

The applicants will be responsible for fulfilling all application procedures and admission requirements of the academic institutions of their choice.

Information notes for the applications are available on the website of the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/en/resources/forms/form.htm). Applicants should submit the completed form through the GovHK website (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/sfo031/en/). For details, please visit the website of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/seymf/en/whatwedo/index.htm), or call (852) 3752 8711 or (852) 3752 8704.

Shortlisted applicants of the Overseas Fellowships and Scholarships will be invited to attend interviews in Hong Kong. The first round of interviews is scheduled for December 2026 or January 2027. If found suitable, applicants will be invited for a final interview to be held in January or February 2027. For the Overseas Fellowships and Scholarships for Disabled Students, shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in Hong Kong in January or February 2027.

Source: AI-found images