All articles tagged with #animal smuggling
German customs officials seized approximately 1,500 tarantulas hidden in cake boxes shipped from Vietnam at Cologne Bonn airport, highlighting ongoing wildlife smuggling issues in Europe for profit, with some animals not surviving the trip and criminal proceedings underway against the recipient.
An airport worker in Thailand has been suspended after a passenger smuggled over 30 live animals, including two baby otters, onto a flight to Taiwan. The animals, which also included tortoises and a marmot, were discovered when some of them escaped and caused chaos on the plane. The incident revealed a lapse in security at the Thai airport, which is known to be a transit hub for wildlife smugglers. Authorities are investigating the suspected smugglers, and the animals have been seized for further examination.
Chaos ensued on a VietJet Air flight from Bangkok to Taiwan when a rat and an otter, smuggled aboard by a passenger, escaped in the main cabin mid-flight. Passengers and crew panicked as the animals scurried around the plane. Upon landing, a search revealed 28 live turtles, a snake, a marmot, and two other rodents among the luggage. Police are investigating a female passenger who allegedly smuggled the animals through security. The woman faces a penalty of up to $31,000. The animals will be examined before being disposed of, and the turtles will remain in quarantine.
A woman was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel for attempting to smuggle over 70 reptiles, including a dangerous anaconda, into the country. The animals were found concealed in socks and cloth bags inside her suitcase. The woman is suspected of violating animal welfare laws and the creatures were handed over to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.