Endangered wildlife traders may soon face stiffer penalties in Singapore

South-East Asia is a hotbed for illegal wildlife trade like ivory and pangolin scales, with Singapore serving as a major transit hub for these parts.. - AFP

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Those caught importing or exporting endangered wildlife parts illegally will face harsher penalties under a proposed law, with maximum fines raised from S$50,000 per species to $100,000 per specimen, and the maximum jail term doubling from two years to four years.

The proposed changes to the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act will also strengthen the enforcement powers of the National Parks Board (NParks), protect the identity of informers in court, and make clearer what is allowed or not allowed under the Act.