Exotic animals intercepted at Dublin Airport
14/12/2007 - 15:14:53
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Scorpions, tarantulas and snakes packed into boxes and falsely labelled as plants have been intercepted at Dublin Airport, it emerged today.
Officers from Revenue’s Customs Service discovered the attempt to smuggle the exotic species into Ireland.
A total of 78 spiders, reptiles and amphibians, including Fire-bellied toads, were found in a parcel from the USA and destined for a pet shop.
Two Emperor Scorpions, listed as an endangered species, plus a Green Snake, died in transit.
The remaining animals were rushed to Dublin Zoo after the discovery was made on Monday.
Staff at the zoo have helped identify the species and are providing expert care for those that survived the journey.
Customs officials said: “The package had been declared as aquatic ’plants’.
“The snakes and sliders (freshwater tortoises) were sealed in small cloth bags and the rest of the animals had been stowed in ten plastic food containers, all of which had been tightly packed into a cardboard box.”
As a result of the seizure Customs officers in Limerick searched two premises and investigations are ongoing.
While three animals died, it is believed more would have perished had the parcel not been intercepted.
The full consignment was made up of:
:: Four Rose Hair tarantulas.
:: Two Guyana Pinktoe tarantulas.
:: Eight Green snakes.
:: Fifty Red-ear sliders.
:: Two Leopard geckos.
:: Ten Fire-bellied toads.
:: Two Emperor scorpions.
Customs said: “All of the species are prohibited on importation unless accompanied by an import licence issued under the Wild Life Act, 1976.
“The Emperor Scorpions also require an import permit under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.”
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheyaugbmhid/
14/12/2007 - 15:14:53
</SPAN>
Scorpions, tarantulas and snakes packed into boxes and falsely labelled as plants have been intercepted at Dublin Airport, it emerged today.
Officers from Revenue’s Customs Service discovered the attempt to smuggle the exotic species into Ireland.
A total of 78 spiders, reptiles and amphibians, including Fire-bellied toads, were found in a parcel from the USA and destined for a pet shop.
Two Emperor Scorpions, listed as an endangered species, plus a Green Snake, died in transit.
The remaining animals were rushed to Dublin Zoo after the discovery was made on Monday.
Staff at the zoo have helped identify the species and are providing expert care for those that survived the journey.
Customs officials said: “The package had been declared as aquatic ’plants’.
“The snakes and sliders (freshwater tortoises) were sealed in small cloth bags and the rest of the animals had been stowed in ten plastic food containers, all of which had been tightly packed into a cardboard box.”
As a result of the seizure Customs officers in Limerick searched two premises and investigations are ongoing.
While three animals died, it is believed more would have perished had the parcel not been intercepted.
The full consignment was made up of:
:: Four Rose Hair tarantulas.
:: Two Guyana Pinktoe tarantulas.
:: Eight Green snakes.
:: Fifty Red-ear sliders.
:: Two Leopard geckos.
:: Ten Fire-bellied toads.
:: Two Emperor scorpions.
Customs said: “All of the species are prohibited on importation unless accompanied by an import licence issued under the Wild Life Act, 1976.
“The Emperor Scorpions also require an import permit under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.”
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheyaugbmhid/
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