Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 19) seized six live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $24,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers intercepted a parcel declared as containing stuffed animal toys from the United States to Hong Kong yesterday. Upon inspection, a batch of live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species was found concealed in socks inside a plastic box.
The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), 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 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 seized six live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $24,000, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (August 19). Photo shows the batch of live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is conducting a series of inter-departmental emergency drills at the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area, including mock scenarios of a traffic accident, power outage, lift failure and electrical short circuit, to test departmental emergency response ahead of the port’s opening.
The Fire Services Department executes an elevator rescue operation during a scenario-based exercise.
One of the drills simulated a traffic accident involving three private cars at the public transport interchange inside the Hong Kong Port Area. The scenario involved multiple injuries, prompting emergency crews to rush to the scene.
Firefighters first ensured that the area was secure and that no one was trapped before assessing the casualties and then standing by with a charged hose line as a precaution.
Ambulance personnel then provided further medical treatment before taking the injured to hospital. Meanwhile, police officers investigated the cause of the simulated crash and conducted a breath test on a driver.
The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department simulates a failure of the building’s power and air-conditioning systems to test its response and emergency repair capabilities.
The Fire Services Department also staged a rescue operation inside the port building, where four travellers were simulated as trapped in a lift, complaining of dizziness and discomfort.
Firefighters safely opened the lift doors using a manual key after confirming that the power supply was switched off.
After initial checks, two of the rescued travellers were sent to hospital for further treatment.
Another drill simulated an electrical appliance short circuit in a building rest area, forcing a large number of travellers to evacuate.
During a simulated traffic accident, firefighters and ambulance personnel work in co-ordination to rescue an injured person trapped inside a vehicle.
Emergency teams directed travellers out of the building, while arriving firefighters deployed a hose line to prevent potential flare-ups. One traveller felt unwell and was taken to hospital.
In a separate development, the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, together with other government departments, staged emergency scenarios including a simulated power failure, a breakdown of the air-conditioning system and a sudden escalator failure.
Under the department’s supervision, technical staff carried out emergency repairs to ensure a swift resumption of services.
After the establishment of the Hong Kong Port Area, the Hong Kong SAR Government continues to conduct drills and exercises of varying scales to ensure relevant departments and units familiarise themselves with handling different emergency situations.
