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Agence France-Presse

Two Indian women have been arrested at a Thai airport attempting to smuggle more than 100 live animals including armadillos, porcupines and snakes.
Thailand is a major transit hub for wildlife smugglers, with the animals often bound for Vietnam or China where they are used in traditional medicines.
The creatures were discovered when Nithya Raja, 38, and Zakia Sulthana, 24, passed through X-ray machines at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday night en route to Chennai in India, wildlife protection officers said on Tuesday.
“This kind of case has happened many times because the animals have expensive price tags in India,” Sathon Konggoen, chief of the airport’s wildlife inspection office, said.
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He estimated that the animals, believed to have been bred in Thailand, would be worth around 200,000 baht (US$5,600).
“Animal trafficking is usually detected at the Thai-Myanmar borders and domestic airports to a certain extent,” he added.
Officers discovered two armadillos, two porcupines, 20 snakes, 35 turtles and 50 chameleons stuffed into a pair of bags belonging to the women.
Two dead iguanas were also found, while all of the reptiles were suffering from dehydration, according to a Facebook post from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

The creatures are being treated and will be moved to an animal centre or breeding facility, the department said.
The two women have been charged with violations of the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act, the Animal Epidemics Act and the Customs Act.
They are being detained at a police station at the airport.


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Thailand

Indian women with more than 100 live animals in their luggage arrested at Thai airport

An armadillo rescued after being found in a passenger’s luggage at the airport in Bangkok. Photo: DNP/AFP

An official with an armadillo rescued after being found in the women’s luggage at Bangkok airport. Photo: DNP/AFP

A white porcupine rescued after being found in a passenger’s luggage at the airport in Bangkok. Photo: DNP/AFP

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Tourists lounge under umbrellas along Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. Photo: AP

Traditional Thai dancers wearing face masks perform at a shrine in Bangkok earlier this month. Thailand dropped rules requiring people to wear masks on June 24. Photo: AFP

Illegal trade in pangolin thrives despite 2017 global ban, according to investigative report that blames demand in China and huge profits on the black market

Wildlife experts estimate that nine out of 10 illegally trafficked pangolins are not detected by authorities. Photo: The Reporter

Pangolin scales for sale at a pharmacy in Shantou, Guangdong Province. These scales were kept in an unmarked plastic bag hidden from the counter, sold for 6 renminbi per gram Ð thatÕs less than $1. The worker told our undercover journalist that pangolin scales are good for reducing swelling and promoting lactation.  HANDOUT PHOTO

Indigenous communities who live in the forests of Malaysia usually only hunt pangolins when there is a demand from buyers from elsewhere. Prices vary according to buyer and season. They can go up to 600 ringgit (US$143) per kilogram. Credit: Elroi Yee / R.AGE

The two women are serving their time at Lo Wu Correctional Institution for pangolin smuggling. SCMP/ Karen Zhang

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The creatures, including two armadillos, 35 turtles and 50 chameleons, were found in a pair of bags belonging to the two women
Officials estimated that the animals, which are believed to have been bred in Thailand, would be worth around US$5,600



The creatures, including two armadillos, 35 turtles and 50 chameleons, were found in a pair of bags belonging to the two Indian women.


India

Animals

Conservation

Crime