A massive haul of more than 3,000 tarantulas was intercepted at Lima’s airport after being smuggled in dirty socks inside three suitcases by travelers bound for Germany. Authorities suspect the exotic spiders were intended for the black market, where they could reportedly sell for up to €1.5 million. The illegal shipment was discovered by Peruvian wildlife officials during a routine inspection, raising concerns over the illegal wildlife trade. The case highlights ongoing efforts to curb the smuggling of endangered or protected species across international borders.
Three suitcases’ worth of the spiders were on their way to Germany, where they could fetch an estimated €1.5mMore than 3,000 tarantulas were seized at an airport in Lima on their way to Germany, Peruvian authorities said.The spiders were hidden inside dirty socks contained in three suitcases carried by two Germans and a Polish citizen, the National Forestry and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) told Agence France-Presse on Thursday. Continue reading...
