In Peru, a 28-year-old South Korean national was detained for attempting to smuggle a large number of exotic creatures back to Korea. The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, tried to transport 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes, and nine bullet ants through Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima.
The illegal attempt was thwarted by officials from Peru’s National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR), according to a statement released on Wednesday. On November 8, airport security noticed the traveler’s unusually swollen stomach, prompting a search. Upon lifting his shirt, authorities discovered two belts that were securing packages containing the creatures to his body.
Investigation launched into origin of exotic animals found in Peru airport
The officials recovered 35 adult tarantulas, 285 juvenile tarantulas, 110 centipedes, and nine bullet ants. Walter Silva, a wildlife expert with SERFOR, emphasized that all the animals were illegally taken, highlighting the global scale of wildlife trafficking, which generates millions of dollars annually.
An investigation into the smuggling attempt has begun, with authorities suspecting the animals originated from the biodiversity-rich Madre de Dios region. A recent United Nations report revealed that wildlife trafficking affects over 4,000 species globally, based on data collected from 162 countries between 2015 and 2021.
Ghada Waly, the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, stated that wildlife crime not only damages ecosystems but also poses serious threats to public health, governance, and climate change efforts.
