Customs seizes exotic animals at airport for third time in 40 days

The Customs officials on Friday seized exotic species of animals at Chennai airport. This is the third seizure in the past 40 days.

Based on the information that wild animals were being smuggled from Bangkok, the AIU officers intercepted a passenger at the arrival on Friday morning.

During questioning, Ibrahim Shah (38) was evasive and nervous in his replies. On examination of his bag, the officials found mammals, rodents, and reptiles in containers. He said that the bag was given to him by an unknown person at Bangkok airport and another would receive the bag outside the Chennai airport.

The Wild Life Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) officials identified the species as meerkat (suricata suricata), a carnivore of mongoose family native to Kalahari Desert and Angola; fat-tailed gerbil (pachyuromys duprasi) native of Northen Sahara; sphynx rat (rattus norvegicus) native to Africa; albino pacman frog (ceratophrys) native of South America; tarantula native to Africa; green iguana and chameleon native to Northern Mexico.

Veterinary doctors from Arignar Anna Zoological park inspected the animals and found them to be in a healthy condition. The animals were recommended to be sent back as the passenger did not have NOC or DGFT licence to import the animals to India.

Around 10 days ago, marmosets, red-handed tamarin, tricolour squirrels and iguanas were seized by the AIU officers from a group of three passengers coming from Bangkok. The animals were sent back as well.

On December 23, 12 banner tailed kangaroo rats, three prairie dogs, one red squirrel, and five blue iguana lizards were rescued by the AIU officers when they were being smuggled from Bangkok. They were also sent back as soon as rescued.