Two suitcases stuffed with 1,495 live pig-nosed turtles were intercepted at an Indonesian airport Wednesday.
The reptiles were bound for Jakarta, the heart of the country's animal black market, according to TRAFFIC, a wildlife watchdog group.
"The authorities involved in intercepting this shipment are to be congratulated," Chris Shepherd, a TRAFFIC director, said in a statement. "However the fact that dealers continue to smuggle shipments of this size indicates a serious problem in Indonesia, where illegal reptile trade is rife."
The popular pets, which are sometimes consumed as meat, are a threatened species native to Indonesia. While Indonesian law bars the export of pig-nosed turtles, smugglers have managed to ship them out in large numbers. Many wind up in the pet markets of East Asia and are often hidden in shipment of tropical fish.
In 2010, authorities intercepted six Hong Kong-bound containers filled will nearly 3,500 pig-nosed turtles, according to MSNBC. Last October, more than 600 were returned to Indonesia after being discovered overseas.
Big Reptile Network is always trying to find more reptile news and information to share with you. Check back frequently on our site, and our news site! www.bigreptilenetwork.com/news
Big Reptile Network Fundraiser for Rescues & Conservations In an effort to make sure that more small rescues and conservation efforts are exposed to grant opportunities, Big Reptile Network has developed a program to cater to their needs. We will begin accepting grant submission on June 15th, 2012. Please check back here in the beginning of June for a downloadable grant form.
There will be a list of requirements for application available on this site in May of 2012. Please check back then, and begin thinking about the needs your organization has. All grants will be given based on the needs of the organization and funding available. All grant submissions will be reviewed by a panel of reptile enthusiasts, herpetologists and philanthropists. Kevin Oskow Big reptile Network www.bigreptilenetwork.com www.reptilelaws.org www.savereptiles.org Two suitcases stuffed with 1,495 live pig-nosed turtles were intercepted at an Indonesian airport Wednesday.
The reptiles were bound for Jakarta, the heart of the country's animal black market, according to TRAFFIC, a wildlife watchdog group.
"The authorities involved in intercepting this shipment are to be congratulated," Chris Shepherd, a TRAFFIC director, said in a statement. "However the fact that dealers continue to smuggle shipments of this size indicates a serious problem in Indonesia, where illegal reptile trade is rife."
The popular pets, which are sometimes consumed as meat, are a threatened species native to Indonesia. While Indonesian law bars the export of pig-nosed turtles, smugglers have managed to ship them out in large numbers. Many wind up in the pet markets of East Asia and are often hidden in shipment of tropical fish.
In 2010, authorities intercepted six Hong Kong-bound containers filled will nearly 3,500 pig-nosed turtles, according to MSNBC. Last October, more than 600 were returned to Indonesia after being discovered overseas.
Big Reptile Network is always trying to find more reptile news and information to share with you. Check back frequently on our site, and our news site! www.bigreptilenetwork.com/news
Big Reptile Network Fundraiser for Rescues & Conservations In an effort to make sure that more small rescues and conservation efforts are exposed to grant opportunities, Big Reptile Network has developed a program to cater to their needs. We will begin accepting grant submission on June 15th, 2012. Please check back here in the beginning of June for a downloadable grant form.
There will be a list of requirements for application available on this site in May of 2012. Please check back then, and begin thinking about the needs your organization has. All grants will be given based on the needs of the organization and funding available. All grant submissions will be reviewed by a panel of reptile enthusiasts, herpetologists and philanthropists. Kevin Oskow Big reptile Network www.bigreptilenetwork.com www.reptilelaws.org www.savereptiles.org
Related Articles -
turtles, reptile news, world news and tortoises,
| 
