Tortoise smuggling caught by Detroit border officer
Seven Indian Star tortoises discovered in an illegal smuggling shipment in Cincinnati this summer are now part of an exhibit at the city's zoo.
A Detroit border official temporarily working in Cincinnati discovered the shipment in late July, according to a news release issued Monday from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Indian Star tortoise is a threatened species. These seven reptiles, which were packaged and labelled as a porcelain doll, were heading to Miami Lakes, Fla., on route from Malaysia.
Officers opened the package and found a plastic container taped shut with ventilation holes punched through the top.
"This is a vulnerable species because their population is decreasing," said Cincinnati border protection port director Richard Gillespie. "The successful interception of these seven live tortoises highlights the outstanding work of our officers and our collaborative efforts with the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service] inspectors."
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