Hong Kong Customs officers at Hong Kong International Airport seized the consignment containing 42 live endangered lizards concealed inside an air consignment. Declared to hold dehumidifiers and cans of milk powder, in addition to air purifiers, by officials on Wednesday, came from Australia, officials confirmed.
Two reptiles, valued at around 210,000 Hong Kong dollars ($27,000), were found on Tuesday during a standard customs check. The case has been transferred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further probe.
Hong Kong has strict laws protecting wildlife with heavy consequences for trafficking endangered species. Any offenders can be liable upon conviction for a fine of up to HK$10 million ($1.27 million) and also imprisonment for up to 10 years. The government reaffirmed its stance on eliminating the illicit wildlife trade, vowing that all confiscated items would be seized. 
The city still serves as a key center in the world-wide wildlife trafficking network. In 2024 they completed around 550 seizures of endangered plant and animal species including rare orchids and American ginseng. A Chinese woman of 45 was last September sentenced to 18 months in jail for trying to smuggle 64 endangered turtles – some of them hidden in socks.
Law enforcement are also monitoring trade routes and beefing up law enforcement in their efforts to counter the growing danger of illegal wildlife trafficking.
