The last madness of exotic animal trafficking: arrested at Mumbai airport with 47 vipers and 5 exotic turtles in the suitcase

The Indian authorities have recently foiled a new case of illegal trafficking of wildlife. The protagonist is a man of Indian nationality, stopped at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj international airport of Mumbaireturn from Thailand. In his hold back they were hidden 47 poisonous snakes and 5 exotic turtlescrammed in sealed containers without any authorization.

The seizure was carried out during the usual customs checks. The agents, suspicious of the content of the suitcase, proceeded to the opening, discovering dozens of live reptilesincluding 44 Indonesian vipers, three cuckolds with spider tail and five Asian leaf turtles. The images spread on social networks from Indian customs show snakes rolled up in plastic dishesvisibly stressed and in precarious conditions.

According to the officials, the man authorization for the import of animals, many of which are among the species protected by Indian law on wildlife. A spokesman for customs explained that unfortunately in the country it is not illegal wildlife, while specific authorizations are needed for protected or extinction species.

Wildlife traffic is in growing growth

The identity of the passenger has not been made public, but the man is currently in custody And the authorities have started an investigation to check if it is an isolated case or if it is involved in one International Network of animal smuggling. Similar episodes are multiplying: last February, always in Mumbai, another smuggler had been arrested while trying to introduce Five Siamanghi gibbonssmall primates originally from Southeast Asia.

Wildlife traffic is a phenomenon in worrying growthoften powered by black market e from unscrupulous collectors. In addition to threatening the biodiversitythese trafficking represent a health risk seriousdue to the possibility of spreading zonotic diseases.

The kidnapping has rekindled the spotlight on the need to strengthen the controls and international cooperation to combat a clandestine market that moves billions of dollars and puts at risk not only animals, but also Environmental balances and public health.