The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on Friday said it had seized 492 endangered turtles, worth HK$3 million, at the airport.

In a statement, the AFCD said that on Monday, it inspected a shipment of more than 14,000 live turtles imported from Peru.

Of these, 492 were red-headed Amazon river turtles, an endangered species.

The AFCD said it suspects that someone was attempting to smuggle the endangered turtles illegally, by concealing them among a large number of other species.

It added that it will remain vigilant and will continue to monitor and crack down on illegal activities involving endangered species.

“According to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person illegally importing scheduled species is liable to a maximum fine of HK$10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction. The seized specimens will also be forfeited,” the statement added.