A 28-year-old South Korean man faces arrest in Peru for attempting to smuggle 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes, and nine bullet ants, all of which are endangered species. The wildlife trafficking operation has drawn attention to the illegal wildlife trade in the Amazon.
Man Arrested in Peru for Smuggling Endangered Tarantulas and Insects
Man Arrested in Peru for Smuggling Endangered Tarantulas and Insects
Custom officers apprehended a South Korean man attempting to board a flight with hundreds of illegally hidden tarantulas, centipedes, and ants at Lima's international airport.
The international airport serving Lima, Peru, was the site of a surprising discovery last week when customs officers noticed a man with an unusually distended abdomen attempting to board a flight. Upon inspection, they found that the man was concealing a staggering number of insects — specifically, 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes, and nine bullet ants. Each one was secured inside a small plastic bag, disguised with filter paper and reinforced with strong adhesive tape, which were fastened to the man's body with girdles.
Walter Silva, a wildlife specialist for the National Forest and Wildlife Service of Peru, confirmed that the tarantulas were taken from the Amazon region of the country and are classified as endangered species under national laws. He emphasized that this incident is indicative of the larger issue of illegal wildlife trafficking, which is a multimillion-dollar enterprise globally. Silva stated, “All were extracted illegally,” highlighting the dangers posed by such activities to the ecosystem.
The man, who is 28 years old and a citizen of South Korea, was on a journey returning to his home country with a scheduled layover in France. Although the authorities have arrested him and opened an investigation, details regarding potential charges have not yet been disclosed, nor has the suspect's name been released. This incident underscores the ongoing battle against wildlife smuggling and the importance of protecting endangered species in the Amazon and beyond.
Walter Silva, a wildlife specialist for the National Forest and Wildlife Service of Peru, confirmed that the tarantulas were taken from the Amazon region of the country and are classified as endangered species under national laws. He emphasized that this incident is indicative of the larger issue of illegal wildlife trafficking, which is a multimillion-dollar enterprise globally. Silva stated, “All were extracted illegally,” highlighting the dangers posed by such activities to the ecosystem.
The man, who is 28 years old and a citizen of South Korea, was on a journey returning to his home country with a scheduled layover in France. Although the authorities have arrested him and opened an investigation, details regarding potential charges have not yet been disclosed, nor has the suspect's name been released. This incident underscores the ongoing battle against wildlife smuggling and the importance of protecting endangered species in the Amazon and beyond.
