Rare wild life species seized at Chennai airport

Rare wild life species like kangaroo rats and red squirrel at airport allegedly smuggled into country from Thailand and have detained one person in this connection.

customs department officials on a specific input intercepted 28-year-old passenger, who arrived at airport here from Bangkok.

During interrogation, passenger was evasive in his reply, following which sleuths examined his baggs and recovered rare animals that was given to him in a stroller bag by someone outside Bangkok airport, an official release said on Sunday.

passenger informed customs officials that some unkwn person outside Chennai airport would identify him by his photograph to collect items.

Customs department called in Wild Life Crime Control Bureau officials, who identified animals as 'Banner Tailed Kangaroo Rats' 12 numbers, 'three Prairie Dogs' both native of rth America, a 'Red Squirrel', and five numbers of a reptile specie 'Blue Iguana Lizard'.

A team of Veterinary doctors from Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur examined animals and found m to be healthy.

wild life species were seized under provisions of Customs Act 1962 with Foreign Tre (Development and Regulation) Act.

passenger was detained and furr investigation was on, release said.