Trapped turtles and smuggled tarantulas
Wild Crime: updates from the week in the world of wildlife trafficking and environmental crime
It’s just a short update this week as I’m out and about working on stories. Things will go back to normal next week. In the meantime, let me know what you think of the newsletter. Is there anything you love? Anything you don’t like or would like to change? This is a new project so I’d be glad to listen to any feedback or suggestions. I’m at bysammeadows@gmail.com
Peru: Not one for the faint-hearted. A South Korean man was stopped at the international airport in Lima who apparently attracted attention for his “abnormally bulging midsection”. When he was searched it emerged that he had hidden 320 tarantulas in plastic containers strapped to his body. Many of the spiders were juveniles, but some were as large as a human hand. Authorities incredibly also found 110 centipedes and nine bullet ants. It’s a good thing the containers were secure. (Think Stewartsville)
Spain: Five members of the same family were arrested in the Canary Islands accused of animal cruelty and trafficking of protected species. The suspects are alleged to have been selling the animals via social media. Officers intercepted a vehicle in Tenerife which was found to contain 33 animals, including a red-footed tortoise, three sand boas and two scorpions. Owning the latter is illegal in Spain. (Canarian Weekly)
Mexico: An operation in March in Mexico saw the removal of several illegal nets set to catch totoaba, a large fish endemic to the Gulf of California. Three nets were removed and 10 surviving fish were released into the ocean. Two sea turtles were also discovered trapped in the net. Both were released alive. (Seafood Source)