JOHANNESBURG – Customs officials at OR Tambo International Airport have arrested a Thai man after discovering 50 suspected endangered parrot eggs hidden in a homemade incubator bag.

The suspect (50) was detained last week when officials found the eggs concealed in his hand luggage, according to the environment ministry.

Initial investigations indicate the eggs belong to parrot species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The man faces a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison or a fine of 10-million rand ($627 000), or both, if convicted.

This marks the second similar arrest at the airport in recent months. In July, another Thai national (23) was detained at the same airport attempting to smuggle 418 parrot eggs out of the country.

The ministry said the arrests demonstrate the increasing sophistication of international wildlife trafficking networks operating across borders. Investigations in both cases remain ongoing.

South Africa’s rich biodiversity makes it a prime target for wildlife crime syndicates. Whilst rhinos and elephants typically draw public attention, traffickers also target lesser-known species including pangolins, reptiles and exotic birds to supply the global black market.

ALSO READ: CapeNature welcomes conviction of couple keeping reptiles