South African police arrest two Thai men for allegedly smuggling parrot eggs

Two Thai men were arrested in separate incidents at Johannesburg airport for allegedly smuggling endangered parrot eggs out of South Africa, according to South Africa's environment ministry.

The 50-year-old Thai man was apprehended at OR Tambo international airport on August 20, carrying 50 bird eggs in a homemade incubator within his hand-luggage. Preliminary investigations suggest that the eggs belonged to parrot species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). The ministry did not disclose the specific parrot species.

Later, on July 16, a 23-year-old Thai national at the same airport was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 418 parrot eggs in two homemade incubator bags. The environment ministry emphasized that the illegal collection and trafficking of parrot eggs pose a significant threat to wild bird populations and animal welfare. Eggs are frequently hidden in improvised incubation devices and transported under conditions that severely endanger the viability and welfare of developing embryos and hatchlings.

The seized eggs are currently being incubated at the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria. Several of the rescued eggs have successfully hatched, and the chicks are receiving intensive veterinary and husbandry care to maximize their chances of survival.

The arrests were the result of a joint intelligence-driven operation led by South Africa's Environmental Management Inspectorate, also known as the "Green Scorpions," and police intelligence, border, and endangered species units. Violating Cites-listed species regulations in South Africa can result in a fine of 10 million rand (approximately £460,000) or up to 10 years in prison, or both.