Thai Authorities Seize Luggage Containing 431 Reptiles at Bangkok Airport
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}June 2: Mud turtles crawl inside a basket as they are shown to the press during a news conference by Thai customs in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP)
BANGKOK -- Thai customs authorities say 431 turtles and other rare reptiles were stuffed into four suitcases and smuggled into the Bangkok airport.
Gharials -- a type of crocodile native to India -- and Indian star and roofed tortoises were among the species found in the luggage Wednesday.
Customs Department Director-General Prasong Poontaneat says many of the reptiles are endangered and international trade is banned. They were discovered when an Indian traveler arriving from Bangladesh failed to retrieve his bags.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Prasong said the animals would be held for evidence and taken care of by wildlife officials.
Thailand is a hub for the illegal wildlife trade. A smuggling attempt thwarted last month involved two leopards, two panthers, an Asiatic black bear and two macaque monkeys -- all juveniles about the size of puppies.