Germans Smuggle Hundreds of Tarantulas
Colombian authorities seize over 300 spiders, scorpions and cockroaches that two Germans were attempting to smuggle into Europe.
Authorities in Colombia have seized over 300 spiders, scorpions and cockroaches that were to be smuggled into Europe.
Over 300 animals in plastic containers
The animals were found in 210 plastic containers at Bogotá’s El Dorado international airport, the authorities announced.
The arachnids were to have been illegally transported from the Colombian capital to Germany.
In total, 232 tarantulas, nine spider egg sacs, 67 cockroaches and one scorpion with seven offspring were found.
«The Ministry of the Environment was called to the scene after airport police identified a suspicious piece of luggage», according to a statement.
The animals had been transported in a suitcase belonging to two German nationals, who claimed to be carrying the animals for scientific purposes.
The two suspects were arrested on suspicion of transporting the arachnids without the required permits.
Bogotá Airport: a hotspot for wildlife trafficking
In the meantime, the spiders, cockroaches and scorpions were taken to a specialist facility.
«Experts will carry out biological assessments to determine whether any degree of risk or threat exists», officials said.
«Following this process, the environmental authority will decide whether the animals should be released or relocated.»
«We remind the public that any research, even if purportedly for academic or scientific purposes, must be expressly authorised by the environmental authorities», said Colombia’s Environment Minister Carolina Urrutia.
«This is the second case in less than three months in which wildlife has been seized at El Dorado Airport», she added on Twitter.
Wildlife traffickers frequently attempt to smuggle various species out of the country via the Colombian capital.
In September, authorities seized 3,493 shark fins — equivalent to between 900 and 1,000 sharks — that were to be illegally shipped to Hong Kong from El Dorado Airport.
In October 2018, 23 tarantulas were also discovered hidden in several muesli boxes on their way to Seoul, South Korea.
«Since 2018, we haven't had a shipment of tarantulas of this size; the largest we had this year were shark fins, and the airport continues to be a hotspot for wildlife trafficking in Bogotá», said Urrutia.
«Wildlife is always better off in the wild and in their natural habitat», she added.
