China Cracks Down on Smuggling of Endangered Species at Airports

Customs authorities in China have recently intercepted significant amounts of trafficked endangered species at various airports. These seizures include live turtles and crocodiles, along with substantial quantities of ivory, coral, and other prohibited items. The illegal trade in these species is driven by profit motives.

At Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, a passenger's luggage was found to contain live animals. Customs officers discovered a large number of turtles and two small crocodiles. The passenger claimed to be a pet store operator intending to transport the animals for breeding and sale. The identified species, including black pond turtles, map turtles, snapping turtles, and Siamese crocodiles, are all protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The rescued animals were transferred to a local wildlife rescue center.

In a separate incident at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, customs officers discovered a large number of live turtles in the luggage of two passengers. The examination revealed 47 radiated tortoises, a species native to Africa and classified as a protected species in China. The case has been referred to the anti-smuggling department for further investigation.

Furthermore, customs officials at Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport seized a large quantity of endangered species products from a passenger's luggage. The items included jewelry made from red coral, tridacna, hawksbill turtle, Asian elephant, African elephant, and sperm whale. The passenger admitted to purchasing the items overseas with the intention of importing them for profit. This seizure was the largest of its kind for Dalian customs this year.