Philippine customs seize huge amount of smuggled tarantulas
As many as 757 tarantulas in plastic containers were recently discovered in a package sent from Poland to the Philippines, said Philippines customs on April 3.
Hanoi (VNA) – As many as 757tarantulas in plastic containers were recently discovered in a package sentfrom Poland to the Philippines, said Philippines customs on April 3.
According to AFP, the package, found at amail facility near Manila’s airport, was the latest seizure in a nation that isa major source and transit point of wildlife trafficking.
The package invoked the suspicions of customs officials after they foundboxes for cookies, oatmeal and tea. The cartons contained dozens of plastic bagspacked with spiders.
Thetarantulas have been sent to the environment department’s rescue centre, whichwill take responsibility for the animals and identify their species.
Chief of the WildlifeTraffic Monitoring Unit of the environment department of the Philippines ArnelMatreo said the seized wild animals, valued at about 5,700 USD, are frequentlysold as pets.
Matreo said two people who tried to claimthe package were detained on charges of violating wildlife protection andcustoms laws.
The confiscation comes about a month afterauthorities seized about 1,500 exotic turtles hidden in a passenger’s bag atManila’s airport.-VNA
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A tarantula (Photo: AFP) 
