SINGAPORE: The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) is advising the public against acquiring exotic snakes on impulse, especially in this Year of the Snake.

The wildlife rescue group’s Animal Crime Investigation Unit (ACIU) received 15 tip-offs on people owning or selling the reptiles last year – a steep increase from four cases in 2023.

Experts said the number is likely the tip of the iceberg as many other cases could have gone undetected and unreported.

The trend of keeping certain animals on the Chinese calendar as pets usually resurfaces when their year rolls around.

For instance, in 2023, the Year of the Rabbit, pet shops reported a surge in the purchase of rabbits, fuelling fears of abandonment when new owners get tired of their furry companions or when the year ends.

YEAR OF THE SNAKE

In Chinese culture, the snake is an auspicious animal that represents prosperity and brings good luck.

This could lead some to aspire to acquire one despite it being illegal — snakes are not allowed as pets in Singapore.

In 2013, the last Year of the Snake on the Chinese zodiac, ACRES saw a spike in cases of people abandoning or surrendering exotic snakes.

One such reptile that the organisation still takes care of to this day is Leva, a female ball python that was found in the lost-and-found section of a taxi company that year.

The ball python is one of the most commonly traded illegal snake species in Singapore, the animal protection charity said.

Leva has been under ACRES’ care for 12 years but the species, native to West and Central Africa, can live up to 30 years.

The non-profit said its facility is near maximum capacity and takes in exotic animals only on a case-by-case basis.

The organisation is currently housing more than 120 animals in quarantine, and hopes to repatriate them where possible.

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Wildlife experts warned that purchasing and owning illegal wildlife not only breaks the law, but also inflicts abuse on the animals.

“When wild animals are smuggled, they are usually smuggled in large numbers. They go through a lot of pain and suffering,” said one of ACRES’ CEOs Kalaivanan Balakrishnan.

“The entire smuggling process is unethical. Sometimes it's linked to other vices. So, when you buy illegal wildlife, you could actually be supporting other illegal activities as well.”

The Herpetological Society of Singapore (HSS) said many reptiles and amphibians suffer from heat stress or even perish when smuggled in higher temperatures such as in a vehicle under the hot sun. This is because they are cold blooded and are unable to regulate their body temperature. 

There is also a lack of vet infrastructure in Singapore to care for them.

Those that escape, or are abandoned in the wild after their owners get tired of them, are rarely safe from harm.

HSS, which advocates for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians, has seen many turn up as roadkill in its database.

“A lot of these animals do not die a painless death. The worst-case scenario is that they have a breeding population and they start impacting our local wildlife,” said Law Ing Sind, co-founder of the society.

AGAINST THE LAW

Still, the demand is there.

CNA came across a local Telegram channel with over 10,000 members which connects smugglers and breeders of non-native animals with those who want to buy them.

Some of the available species are globally endangered.

One dealer said he can bring an exotic snake into Singapore within one to three days.

The National Parks Board (NParks) said that Singapore takes a zero-tolerance stance on illegal wildlife trade.

The statutory board regularly monitors physical and online marketplaces, and works with partner agencies to conduct checks at border checkpoints to stifle such trade.

The only reptiles that can be kept as as pets in Singapore are two species of turtles – the red-eared slider and native Malayan box turtle.