Colombia seizes hundreds of gaurs and insects bound for Germany
A statement from the Bogota environment agency said at least 232 gaurs, 67 cockroaches, nine spider eggs and a scorpion with seven of it had been confiscated at the capital’s El Dorado airport.
The bugs were kept in more than 200 plastic containers hidden in a suitcase, the statement said.
Two German nationals have been arrested and will be prosecuted, officials said. They said they brought the animals to Germany for study purposes, but did not have a permit to collect and transport them.
Video shows several insects crawling around a box as authorities examine them. The tarantula could be seen climbing on a wooden branch, while another beetle crawled over an official’s arm as they examined it.
Bogota’s Environment Minister, Carolina Urrutia, said that even if people intend to use wildlife for scientific research, they still need permission from the relevant authorities to remove them from the land. water.