QUITO: The Airport officials foiled an attempt of smuggling 200 endangered baby tortoises, wrapped in a plastic suitcase, at the Galapagos Ecological Airport,
Officers discovered the baby tortoises in X-ray machines while going through a routine check. Following the bust, law enforcers then arrested a police officer, Nixon Alejandro.
#URGENTE | Durante una inspección rutinaria entre @aerogalapagos y @parquegalapagos en el aeropuerto de #Baltra, se detectaron 185 tortugas neonatos en una maleta que se trasladaba al Ecuador continental. Fiscalía y #UPMA están tomando procedimiento. Noticia en desarrollo. pic.twitter.com/qXHqmGyukZ
— Ministerio Ambiente, Agua y Transición Ecológica (@Ambiente_Ec) March 28, 2021
An airport manager while speaking with the international media told that airport authorities busted a shipment of at least 200 little reptiles which were to be shipped to Guayaquil airport.
Miserably, ten of the critically endangered reptiles were found dead most likely due to the stress they suffered after being separated from their habitat, Ministry also confirmed.
Officials also added that the case is being investigated by the Ministry of the Environment and by state prosecutors. The culprit Alejandro will also be charged for harming wild animals. He could likely get three years in prison.
Conservancy of Galapagos estimates that there are nearly 20,000-25,000 wild tortoises that live on the islands.
The Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, is home to varied flora and fauna, including the endangered Galapagos giant tortoise – having around 12 species. These tortoises grow up around 6 feet and can live for more than 100 years. According to an estimate, these smuggled tortoises can fetch approximately $5,000.
