'Endangered' parrot eggs hatch in South Africa after two arrested in wildlife smuggling crackdown

Two people have been arrested in South Africa for allegedly attempting to smuggle parrot eggs out of the country.

Both are Thai nationals, South Africa's department of forestry, fisheries and the environment (DFFE) said, and were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport.

The most recent incident took place last Thursday, when a 50-year-old was arrested for the alleged illegal export of 50 bird eggs concealed in a homemade incubator bag carried as hand luggage.

According to the DFFE, preliminary investigations indicate that the eggs originate from parrot species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

It followed a similar incident on 16 July, when a 23-year-old was intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport while allegedly attempting to smuggle 418 parrot eggs concealed in two homemade incubator bags.

The DFFE said investigations into both cases were ongoing, and that the arrests followed a joint operation with South Africa's border police and endangered species unit, as well as intelligence agencies.

It also said that several of the rescued eggs have successfully hatched, adding that "the chicks are receiving intensive veterinary and husbandry care to maximise their chances of survival".

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David Maynier, South Africa's environment minister, said: "The success of this operation demonstrates the need for a joint approach to enforcing environmental law.

"The complex criminal networks that support illegal wildlife trafficking can only be challenged by a coordinated defence of our natural heritage."

The DFFE said the action was part of South Africa's response to the growing threat of wildlife trafficking. Punishments for the illegal export of CITES-listed species include a fine of 10 million rand (£460,000), up to 10 years in prison, or both.

Poaching of native species in South Africa has increased over the years, driven mainly by demand for abalone, rhino horn and pangolin scales.

(c) Sky News 2026: 'Endangered' parrot eggs hatch in South Africa after two arrested in wildlife smuggling crackd