No, owning a skunk in Singapore is illegal under the Wildlife Act (Cap. 351) and the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act (Cap. 92A). The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), now part of the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), classifies skunks as prohibited wildlife, citing biosecurity and public safety risks. Violations may result in fines up to S$10,000, imprisonment, or both, with stricter penalties for commercial trafficking.
Key Regulations for Owning a Skunk in Singapore
- Prohibition under Wildlife Act: Skunks are listed as “wildlife” under the First Schedule, requiring permits for possession, which are rarely granted. The Act empowers authorities to confiscate illegal animals without compensation.
- Endangered Species Act Compliance: Skunks are not native to Singapore but are regulated as “specimens” under CITES-like controls, necessitating import permits from the SFA’s Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). Unauthorized breeding or trade triggers penalties under Section 4 of the Act.
- Local Biosecurity Enforcement: The SFA enforces the Animals and Birds Act (Cap. 7), which prohibits the keeping of exotic pets deemed hazardous. Skunks, classified as “dangerous wild animals,” are subject to mandatory euthanasia if seized, per AVS guidelines effective 2023.