The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) conducted a blitz operation yesterday (May 26) at private land in Lau Fau Shan, seizing a total of 18 endangered parrots and arresting two men.

     The AFCD received a referral from the Planning Department regarding the aforementioned site, which involved an unauthorised development under the Town Planning Ordinance. Numerous bird cages were found at the site, some of which contained birds. Following intelligence gathering and investigation, the AFCD mounted an enforcement operation. During the operation, AFCD officers arrested two men who were suspected of being in connection with the illegal possession of endangered parrots listed in Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), including Goffin's cockatoos, blue-throated conures, golden conures, yellow-naped amazon parrots, yellow-headed amazon parrots and a hyacinth macaw.

     According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), unless exempted or otherwise stipulated, possession of Appendix I species requires a Licence to Possess or relevant documentary proof of the animals' origin. As the two men were unable to produce the required Licence to Possess or relevant documents, they were arrested, and 18 endangered parrots were seized for further investigation.

     In addition, the Planning Department took enforcement action against the unauthorised development at the site. The Planning Department served an Enforcement Notice to the relevant persons yesterday, requiring them to discontinue the unauthorised development by a specified date.

     A spokesman for the AFCD said, "Illegal possession of endangered species is a serious offence. Any person contravening the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years, and the seized specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction."

     A spokesman for the Planning Department said, "Undertaking an unauthorised development may be subject to prosecution. Under section 23(6) of the Town Planning Ordinance, a person who is served with an Enforcement Notice but fails to comply with its requirements by the specified day commits an offence. Upon first conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and a daily fine of $50,000. Upon second or subsequent conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $1 million and a daily fine of $100,000."

     The Government is committed to protecting endangered species. The AFCD will continue to monitor and collect intelligence, and proactively take enforcement action to combat offences involving endangered species.

     Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illegal possession of endangered species to the AFCD by calling 2150 6978 or emailing espint@afcd.gov.hk.

     Members of the public with enquiries about town planning matters may call 2231 5000 or email enquire@pland.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:42

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