Green Scorpions

The Green Scorpions are the environmental crime investigative unit of South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). Their primary role is to combat environmental crimes, including illegal wildlife trafficking. They have recently gained attention due to their involvement in intercepting endangered parrot eggs. In separate incidents, South African police, working with the DFFE, arrested two Thai nationals at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. One arrest involved a 50-year-old man carrying 50 suspected parrot eggs in a homemade incubator bag as hand luggage. Some of these eggs have since hatched, highlighting the ongoing efforts to protect endangered species. These arrests underscore the persistent threat of wildlife smuggling and the critical role of the Green Scorpions in enforcing environmental laws and protecting South Africa's biodiversity from illegal trade.