Key facts
- Two Thai nationals arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for smuggling endangered parrot eggs.
- One suspect was carrying 50 eggs in a homemade incubator.
- Some seized eggs have hatched and are receiving intensive care at the National Zoological Garden.
- Eggs are suspected to be from Cites-protected parrot species.
- A previous arrest in July involved 418 parrot eggs.
- Convicted wildlife traffickers face fines up to 10 million rand or 10 years in prison.
South African authorities have arrested two Thai nationals in separate incidents at OR Tambo International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle endangered parrot eggs out of the country. The arrests are part of a broader effort to combat wildlife trafficking.
On Thursday, a 50-year-old Thai national was apprehended carrying 50 bird eggs in a homemade incubator within his hand luggage. Preliminary investigations suggest these eggs belong to parrot species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which regulates international trade to prevent species extinction.
Many of the rescued eggs have successfully hatched, with the chicks now receiving intensive care to maximise their chances of survival. Staff at the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria are working to incubate the seized eggs and provide specialised care to the hatchlings.
Last Thursday's arrest follows that of a 23-year-old Thai citizen in July, also caught at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, who was attempting to smuggle 418 parrot eggs. The environment ministry emphasized that the illegal collection and trafficking of parrot eggs pose a significant threat to wild bird populations and animal welfare, often transported under conditions that compromise viability.
The arrests followed a joint operation by the DFFE, the Green Scorpions, and various divisions of the police. Environment Minister David Maynier congratulated all the agencies involved, stating that "illegal wildlife trafficking can only be challenged by a co-ordinated defence of our natural heritage."
If convicted, the suspected wildlife trafficker faces a fine of up to 10 million rand ($626,000, £461,000) or up to 10 years in prison, or both. The DFFE noted that these arrests highlighted the growing sophistication of transnational wildlife trafficking networks and reinforced "the importance of co-ordinated, intelligence-led law enforcement efforts."