Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs announced in a statement yesterday that its officers seized eight live lizards smuggled from Macau at Gongbei checkpoint on September 8.
Gongbei Customs identified the smuggler as a local male surnamed Wong.
According to the statement, the suspect was intercepted at around 6:00 p.m. on September 8 after he entered Zhuhai through the checkpoint’s passenger inspection hall using the “green channel”.
Customs officers noticed that Wong appeared nervous and attempted to blend into the crowd, prompting them to stop him for inspection.
Upon investigation, the officers discovered four white mesh bags inside a shopping bag he was carrying. Each mesh bag contained two live lizards, making a total of eight.
The reptiles were later identified by the Gongbei Customs Technical Centre as Sudan plated lizards.
According to Gemini, the Sudan plated lizard (Broadleyis major) is a species of medium to large size, heavily armoured terrestrial lizard native to the savannas and dry woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. Recognised by their distinctive armour-like, overlapping scales reinforced with bony plates called osteoderms, they can reach lengths of up to 50 to 60 centimetres, with their thick, heavy tail making up nearly half of their total body length. These diurnal reptiles inhabit rocky outcrops, burrows, and termite mounds, using their flat, wedge-shaped bodies to wedge themselves tightly into rock crevices when threatened by predators.
Gongbei Customs reminded the public in the statement that, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the import of live animals into the Chinese mainland without prior approval is prohibited. Those who violate these regulations will be subject to legal liability as stipulated by law.
This undated handout photo provided by Gongbei Customs yesterday shows eight smuggled lizards seized by customs officers at the Gongbei checkpoint’s arrival hall on September 8.
