More than 140 tarantula spiders found being smuggled in a chess set at Colombian airport

Colombian authorities have seized 143 tarantulas that were allegedly being smuggled through Bogota’s international airport. The insects were placed in plastic bags and concealed inside a chess set being shipped to Mexico City, police said on March 31, 2022. At least 12 of the 143 tarantulas died because of inadequate ventilation, according to officials, who said the wild spiders will be transferred to a local animal care centre for treatment.