Snakes on a plane: About 1,100 snakes smuggled in from Thailand have been sent to the Animal Management Centre in Sheung Shui.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department seized an illegal shipment of 1,100 snakes from Thailand at the airport over the Easter holiday.

They were packed inside nylon bags in 60 boxes, which arrived on April 8, together with 71 other boxes of fish as an air-borne consignment for customs clearance.

The snakes, believed to be the endangered common rat snake species, were sent to the department's Animal Management Centre in Sheung Shui.

Last year saw the seizure of about 3,700 reptiles, 16 dogs, four cats and eight other mammals found illegally imported into Hong Kong.

For enquiries on animal imports and to report smuggling, call 1823.