Thai nationals detained at Johannesburg airport for attempting to export endangered parrot eggs
Police at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg seized parrot eggs from two Thai men, accusing them of trying to smuggle the protected wildlife out of South Africa.
South African authorities apprehended two Thai nationals at OR Tambo international airport for allegedly attempting to export endangered parrot eggs. The older suspect, aged 50, was stopped on 20 August carrying 50 eggs in a hand-luggage bag, while the younger, 23, was detained on 16 July with 418 eggs packed in two improvised incubator bags. The environment ministry indicated the eggs are from parrot species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), though it did not specify which.
The operation was led by the Environmental Management Inspectorate, known as the “Green Scorpions,” together with police intelligence, border and endangered species units. The National Zoological Garden in Pretoria is now incubating the confiscated eggs, and several have successfully hatched and are receiving intensive care. South Africa imposes fines up to 10 million rand and up to ten years’ imprisonment for illegal export of CITES-listed wildlife.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing wildlife trafficking challenges and South Africa's efforts to protect endangered species from illegal trade.
In this story
