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Live turtles found at Manchester Airport
9:38am Tuesday 18th November 2008
MORE than 80 turtles were seized at Manchester airport by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers last Thursday.
The seizure follows two others in recent weeks of live creatures at the airport.
Linda Paul, UKBA assistant director at Manchester Airport, said: “In the absence of the correct documentation, the turtles were seized to protect the natural biodiversity of UK and EU.
“Animals imported for the pet trade are tightly regulated. UKBA along with our colleagues in HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) take the role in enforcing international agreements and prohibitions designed to preserve our natural environment very seriously.
“Anyone tempted to trade in protected creatures and plants should think again.”
The 87 live southern, western and eastern painted back turtles arrived in a commercial load from the USA. The turtles are not a protected species, but are banned from import into the European Union and importers need a special licence.
In October, more than 50 similar turtles were seized at the same freight area. Both consignments have been temporarily rehomed at Blackpool Zoo.
The turtles are as small as a 50 pence piece and are called ‘painted’ because of the markings on their backs. They will grow up to 10 inches and can live up to 20 years in captivity.
A few weeks ago an endangered blue beach crab was seized by UKBA officers at Manchester airport after it was discovered with luggage on a flight from Cuba.
In this instance the crab was a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species commonly known as CITES. The crab was rehomed at a sanctuary in Warwickshire.
In January this year, the largest ever live coral consignment discovered in the UK was seized at Manchester Airport and the colourful creatures were rehomed at London Zoo.
Anyone with information on this illegal trade can ring a 24 hour hotline number 0800 59 5000.
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