SINGAPORE — A Singaporean man and woman were caught with five live leopard geckos in their car at the Woodlands Checkpoint, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) said in a joint statement on Tuesday (June 6).

The geckos were found hidden inside two pillows at the rear passenger seat of the car last Friday at 3.55pm, after ICA officers conducted checks on the in-bound Singapore-registered car at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

The car was driven by a 51-year-old Singaporean man, who was accompanied by a 32-year-old woman who is also Singaporean.

The case has been referred to the AVA and investigations are ongoing.

According to Reptiles Magazine’s website (www.reptilesmagazine.com), leopard geckos can fetch anything from US$20 (S$27.63) to US$3,000.

Keeping wild animals such as exotic amphibians, snakes and lizards are not allowed in Singapore and the importation of animals or live birds without an AVA permit is illegal and carries a maximum penalty of S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.

In the statement, the ICA and AVA reminded travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.

Wild animals are not suitable pets as some may transmit zoonotic diseases to humans and can be a public safety risk if mishandled, or if they escape into our dense urban environment, the agencies warned.

In addition, wild animals that are non-native to Singapore may also be a threat to our bio-diversity if released into the environment. Demand for such animals would fuel illegal wildlife trade, which severely impacts the wild populations of numerous species, the statement added.