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Aug 14, 2009
Bird smuggler caught at border <!--10 min-->
<!-- headline one : start --> <!-- headline one : end --> <!-- Author --> <!-- show image if available --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr></tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr><td colspan="2" class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold">By Reico Wong </td></tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td width="330">
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Zebra Doves, also known as Merbok birds, are known to have distinctive vocals. -- ST FILE PHOTO
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LIVELY songbirds such as Zebra Doves, also known as Merbok birds, are known to have distinctive vocals. However, if you are thinking of bringing them back to Singapore as pets, think again. A 66-year-old man on board a tour bus arriving at the Woodlands checkpoint early on Wednesday morning was caught trying to smuggle in seven live Merbok birds. Immigration officers were conducting a routine check on the bus at about 1 am when they discovered two seemingly abandoned cloth bags hanging on the seat lever near the back of the vehicle. Sensing something amiss, the ICA officer immediately questioned the bus driver who managed to help identify the passenger.
The cloths bags were also searched and the seven Merbok birds were found nestled inside. Grilled further, the Malaysian man, who is also a Singapore permanent resident, claimed ownership of the birds. He said the birds had been given to him as gifts by a friend when the bus stopped over at a town in Johor. The case has been referred to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) for further investigations. The importation of live birds without an AVA permit is a violation of the Animals and Birds Act under Singapore law and carries a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or jail of up to one year.
Aug 14, 2009
Bird smuggler caught at border <!--10 min-->
<!-- headline one : start --> <!-- headline one : end --> <!-- Author --> <!-- show image if available --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr></tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr><td colspan="2" class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold">By Reico Wong </td></tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td width="330">
</td> <td width="10">
Zebra Doves, also known as Merbok birds, are known to have distinctive vocals. -- ST FILE PHOTO
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
LIVELY songbirds such as Zebra Doves, also known as Merbok birds, are known to have distinctive vocals. However, if you are thinking of bringing them back to Singapore as pets, think again. A 66-year-old man on board a tour bus arriving at the Woodlands checkpoint early on Wednesday morning was caught trying to smuggle in seven live Merbok birds. Immigration officers were conducting a routine check on the bus at about 1 am when they discovered two seemingly abandoned cloth bags hanging on the seat lever near the back of the vehicle. Sensing something amiss, the ICA officer immediately questioned the bus driver who managed to help identify the passenger.
The cloths bags were also searched and the seven Merbok birds were found nestled inside. Grilled further, the Malaysian man, who is also a Singapore permanent resident, claimed ownership of the birds. He said the birds had been given to him as gifts by a friend when the bus stopped over at a town in Johor. The case has been referred to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) for further investigations. The importation of live birds without an AVA permit is a violation of the Animals and Birds Act under Singapore law and carries a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or jail of up to one year.
