National Parks Board and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority foil attempt to smuggle over 830kg of Asian pangolin scales

28 March 2026, Singapore – On 29 December 2025, the National Parks Board (NParks), in collaboration with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), seized over 830kg of Asian pangolin scales – estimated to be from over 2,200 pangolins. An inbound lorry bringing in sea cargo - falsely declared as “dried fish skin” - was intercepted by ICA officers at Jurong Scanning Station. A subsequent inspection uncovered 30 bags of pangolin scales, which were seized by NParks. Based on preliminary investigations, the cargo was transiting through Singapore en route from Indonesia to Cambodia. This marks the largest seizure of Asian pangolin scales in Singapore to date.

As part of a broader, multipronged strategy to strengthen partnerships and tackle illegal wildlife trade, a new compendium, titled Red Flag Indicators for Wildlife Trafficking in Containerised Sea Cargo: A Summary Compendium and Guidance for the Maritime Shipping Sector in Singapore, was published today. Building on the global resource published in 2021 by TRAFFIC and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), this Singapore-focused compendium is tailored to Singapore’s context as a major maritime hub.

These announcements were shared today by Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry, Mr Alvin Tan, at the World Wildlife Day Regional Youth Symposium.

Largest seizure of Asian pangolin scales in Singapore to date

On 29 December 2025, ICA officers at Jurong Scanning Station foiled an attempt to smuggle pangolin scales into Singapore via an inbound lorry bringing in sea cargo. Acting on information received from ICA’s Integrated Targeting Centre, the lorry was referred for enhanced checks. ICA Image Analysts noticed anomalies in the scanned image and further checks uncovered pangolin scales falsely declared as “dried fish skin”. NParks was alerted to the case and recovered a total of 30 bags containing more than 830kg of suspected pangolin scales, estimated to be from over 2,200 pangolins. Based on preliminary investigations, the cargo was transiting through Singapore en route from Indonesia to Cambodia.

Genetic analysis conducted by scientists at NParks’ Centre for Wildlife Forensics assessed that the scales originated from the Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica), a critically endangered species native to Southeast Asia, including Singapore. This seizure constitutes the largest seizure of Asian pangolin scales in Singapore to date, and investigations are ongoing.

Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance stance on the illegal trade of endangered wildlife species, and their parts and derivatives. This case underscores the importance of Singapore’s robust border controls and demonstrates the effectiveness of a coordinated, intelligence-led, and multi-agency approach in detecting and disrupting wildlife crime.

Pangolins are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Singapore is a signatory to CITES and is committed to international efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade to ensure the long-term survival of these animals.

Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act (“ESA”), the maximum penalties for the trade in CITES-scheduled Appendix I species brought into Singapore without a valid CITES permit are a fine of up to S$200,000 for each specimen of that scheduled species (not exceeding S$1,000,000 or the market value of the specimens) and/or up to eight years’ imprisonment.

The community can play a key role as well by ensuring their purchases do not contain animal or plant parts of endangered species, and by not contributing to the demand for the illegal trade of wildlife. Members of the public can contact NParks at cites@nparks.gov.sg if they spot any occurrences of illegal wildlife trade. Information shared will be kept strictly confidential.

New compendium to strengthen vigilance against wildlife trafficking in maritime sector

As part of a multipronged approach to tackling illegal wildlife trade, a new compendium, titled Red Flag Indicators for Wildlife Trafficking in Containerised Sea Cargo: A Summary Compendium and Guidance for the Maritime Shipping Sector in Singapore, was published today. Developed by NParks, TRAFFIC international Southeast Asia, and WWF, with input from the World Shipping Council, the compendium underscores the importance of international cooperation and public-private partnerships in strengthening vigilance against wildlife trafficking along global maritime routes.

Adapted for Singapore’s position as a major maritime hub, the compendium builds on the global resource published in 2021 by TRAFFIC and WWF. It equips maritime industry partners, including carriers, shippers, and freight forwarders with guidance on at‑risk routes and common red flags in wildlife trafficking, such as discrepancies in documentation, cargo value, weight, and appearance. The compendium also provides tools to help identify trafficked species listed under CITES, supporting earlier detection and interception of illegal shipments across the maritime supply chain before they reach destination markets.

5^th World Wildlife Day Regional Youth Symposium

A youth-led event since 2022, the annual World Wildlife Day Regional Youth Symposium convenes youths, practitioners and partners from across the region to foster collaboration on biodiversity conservation.

Taking place from 28 to 29 March 2026, the fifth edition of the Symposium was organised by 20 youths from NParks’ Youth Stewards for Nature programme and 10 members of the CITES Global Youth Network’s Asia chapter, which is co-led by Singapore and the Philippines.

Themed “Exploring Intersections Among Wildlife Trade, Wildlife Health and Wildlife Conservation”, the Symposium brought together over 150 participants from over 20 countries, including all 11 ASEAN member states. It featured speaker sessions, youth showcases and hands‑on workshops, enabling participants to exchange knowledge, share experiences and strengthen regional networks for collective action in wildlife conservation.

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