Indian Customs Seize Nearly 100 Endangered Animals from Passenger Arriving from Thailand
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By Anya Sharma | MUMBAI – 2025/06/10 12:15:39
Customs officials in India have made a notable seizure of endangered wildlife from a passenger arriving from Thailand, according to a recent government statement.The haul included nearly 100 creatures, encompassing lizards, sunbirds, and tree-climbing possums.
The passenger, who was also carrying two tarantula spiders and tortoises, reportedly “exhibited signs of nervousness” upon arrival at Mumbai, India’s financial hub, customs officers stated.
This incident follows a previous seizure earlier in June, where a passenger arriving from Thailand was caught smuggling dozens of venomous vipers. That seizure included 44 Indonesian pit vipers concealed within checked baggage, according to Mumbai customs.
The latest confiscated wildlife also included iguanas, a kinkajou (or honey bear) from Mexico’s rainforests, and six sugar gliders, which are gliding possums native to Australia.
Mumbia (India ) Customs, on X
“In a significant operation, customs officers … intercepted an Indian national … leading to the seizure of multiple live and deceased wildlife species, some of which are protected under wildlife protection laws,” the Ministry of Finance stated.
Disturbing Trend of Wildlife Smuggling
TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, has warned about a “very troubling” increase in trafficking driven by the exotic pet trade. The institution,which combats the smuggling of wild animals and plants,issued the warning on tuesday.
According to TRAFFIC, over 7,000 animals, both dead and alive, have been seized along the Thailand-India air route in the past three and a half years.
While customs officers at Mumbai airport are more accustomed to intercepting smuggled gold, cash, or cannabis, instances of wildlife seizures have been on the rise recently.
Earlier in June, customs officers seized dozens of snakes and several turtles from an Indian national arriving from Thailand.
“the almost-weekly discoveries and diversity of wildlife en route to India is very troubling,”
Among the snakes seized were spider-tailed horned vipers, a venomous species first described by scientists in 2006 and classified as “near-threatened” by the international Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
TRAFFIC’s analysis indicates that while moast cases involve animals being smuggled out of thailand, over 80 percent of interceptions occur in India.
Kanitha Krishnasamy, TRAFFIC’s Southeast asia director, stated, “The almost-weekly discoveries and diversity of wildlife en route to India is very troubling.”
She added that many of the captured animals were alive, indicating that “the clamor for exotic pets is driving the trade.”
In February, customs officials at Mumbai airport also stopped a smuggler carrying five Siamang gibbons, a small ape native to the forests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.These creatures are listed as endangered by the IUCN and were found “ingeniously concealed” in a plastic crate inside the passenger’s trolley bag, according to customs officers.
In November,authorities discovered a passenger carrying 12 live turtles.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is wildlife trafficking?
- wildlife trafficking is the illegal trade of wild animals and plants, often driven by the demand for exotic pets, traditional medicine, and luxury goods.
- Why is wildlife trafficking a problem?
- It threatens biodiversity, disrupts ecosystems, and can lead to the extinction of endangered species. it also fuels transnational crime and corruption.
- What measures are being taken to combat wildlife trafficking?
- International agreements,stricter law enforcement,increased monitoring,and public awareness campaigns are all being used to combat wildlife trafficking.
