Hong Kong Customs Seizes 36 Tortoises, 8 Lizards Worth $550,000 at Airport from Korean Passengers.

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected scheduled endangered live tortoises and lizards

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 16) seized 36 live tortoises and eight live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport, with an estimated market value of about $550,000.

Two Korean male passengers, aged 24 and 30, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. They were intercepted for customs clearance at the arrivals hall of the airport. Customs officers found the batch of tortoises and lizards contained in plastic boxes inside their carry-on baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the batch of tortoises and lizards was suspected to be of endangered species listed in the Appendices of 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 case has been handed over to the AFCD for follow-up action. Hong Kong Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.

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.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline182 8080or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected scheduled endangered live tortoises and lizards Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected scheduled endangered live tortoises and lizards Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected scheduled endangered live tortoises and lizards Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected scheduled endangered live tortoises and lizards Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Premiere and Experience Sharing Seminar of 3rd Future Animation - AI-Assisted Animation Production Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA held

Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, the Premiere and Experience Sharing Seminar of the 3rd Future Animation - AI-assisted Animation Production Support Scheme (Future Animation Scheme) was held today (July 17). Six AI-assisted original animations were premiered in Hong Kong, showcasing the innovative achievements of the local industry in animation production.

Speaking at the event, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip said that the Future Animation Scheme assists local talent in transforming innovative ideas into high-quality animation content and entertainment intellectual properties by applying AI technology. The Government will continue to collaborate with the industry to help creators enhance their professional capabilities and explore international markets, enhancing the influence and competitiveness of Hong Kong's digital entertainment industry in the global creative landscape.

The Future Animation Scheme aims to support the local animation industry in achieving breakthroughs and innovation in animation production. Each selected company can receive a maximum subsidy of $850,000 to produce a 15 to 20-minute AI-assisted original animation, as well as professional mentoring by industry experts. Selected companies also participated in the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market in France in June this year, where they showcased their creations and connected with international buyers at the Hong Kong Pavilion to explore global business opportunities. At today's experience-sharing seminar, representatives from the six participating companies shared their creative journeys and insights, as well as their experiences and achievements at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market.

This edition of the Future Animation Scheme brought together local talent from Hong Kong's animation and film industries, including local film directors, and successfully nurturedsix AI-assisted original animations. Among them,three outstanding works - "Tai Lung Fung - Full Throttle Kitchen", "Tuen Mun vs. Tin Shui Wai", and "Cirkillation" - were awarded the "Jury's Choice" Award.

For more information about the 3rd Future Animation - AI-Assisted Animation Production Support Scheme, please visit

futureanimation.com.hk/en/home-en.

Premiere and Experience Sharing Seminar of 3rd Future Animation - AI-Assisted Animation Production Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Premiere and Experience Sharing Seminar of 3rd Future Animation - AI-Assisted Animation Production Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Premiere and Experience Sharing Seminar of 3rd Future Animation - AI-Assisted Animation Production Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases