1,529 live turtles, including Star Tortoise, Redfoot Tortoise, Sulcata Tortoise, and Red-eared Slider species, were found inside duct-taped suitcases abandoned in an airport in Manila. Photo: Philippines Bureau of Customs NAIA / Facebook
1,529 live turtles, including Star Tortoise, Redfoot Tortoise, Sulcata Tortoise, and Red-eared Slider species, were found inside duct-taped suitcases abandoned in an airport in Manila. Photo: Philippines Bureau of Customs NAIA / Facebook

By Hannah Ellis-Petersen
4 March 2019

(The Guardian) – Police in the Philippines have discovered 1,529 live turtles wrapped in duct tape inside suitcases abandoned in an airport.

The customs bureau seized four suitcases in Manila on Sunday and found they were filled with rare and protected varieties including star tortoises, red-footed tortoises, sulcata tortoises and red-eared sliders.

Officers said the cases had been brought on a flight from Hong Kong by a passenger from the Philippines and left unclaimed in the arrivals area of Manila’s Ninoy Aquino international airport.

The reptiles were valued at up to 4.5m pesos (£60,000). There is a high demand for turtles as exotic pets, and they are valued for their meat and for use in traditional medicine in some Asian countries.

The Philippines has strict laws against animal smuggling and, if found, the carrier could face up to two years in jail and a fine of 200,000 pesos. [more]

1,500 live turtles found wrapped in duct tape at Manila airport