Bangkok Monkey Smuggling: On Monday (February 6) at Chennai Airport in Tamil Nadu, a man was caught with two mangabey monkeys. Chennai Customs told that an Indian citizen who came from Bangkok was stopped at Chennai airport. On investigation, he found 2 live monkeys of Mangabe species. The confiscated animals include Sooty Mangabey and Collared Mangabey.
They belong to the Old World monkey family of West African origin. Customs officials said a scanner detected the presence of wildlife in the baggage. After which the goods were opened and these two monkeys were recovered. The accused person was arrested.
Animals caught earlier also at Chennai airport
Earlier in the month of January last, exotic species like python, marmoset, star tortoise and corn snake were seized at Chennai airport. According to news agency ANI, Customs officials found 45 ball pythons, 3 marmosets, 3 star turtles and 8 corn snakes in two suitcases of a passenger on January 11. The passenger had left the suitcase at the airport.
Wildlife officials were informed after the recovery of the exotic animal. All these species were sent back to Bangkok on 12 January. The passenger was called for questioning by the custom.
Cases of animal trafficking increased
The authorities had earlier seized four exotic animals from the suitcase of a male passenger at the Chennai airport in November last year. These included two pygmy marmosets and two dusky leaf monkeys. The passenger had come from Bangkok. Animal trafficking is continuously increasing in Chennai. Exotic animal species are brought from Bangkok and sold in Chennai.
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