SINGAPORE — As of October, some 60 animals, such as hedgehogs, snakes and birds, have been seized from people possessing them illegally, according to numbers released by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) yesterday.

In total, there were 17 cases of those caught for the illegal possession of wildlife. Between 2008 and this year, three such cases were brought to court and the offenders were fined between S$4,000 and S$8,000, said the AVA.

In one case, a man who was illegally hawking wild animals online was charged in court last week under the Wild Animals and Birds Act and fined S$4,000.

The AVA had seized two sugar gliders and two hedgehogs from him in June. The animals have since been under the care and custody of the Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

The AVA has taken enforcement action against those who were not charged in court, such as through the issue of warning letters and fines.

From 2008 to this year, offenders have been fined between S$100 and S$5,000.

There were also 13 cases of illegal wildlife trade as of October.

A case was brought to court in September, after the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority caught three men smuggling six mata puteh (Oriental White-eye birds) in toothpaste boxes.

They were fined S$6,000 each for the illegal import of the birds and subjecting them to unnecessary suffering.

Members of the public with information on the illegal wildlife trade and possession can contact the AVA at 6325 7625 or submit feedback through the authority’s website.