More than 1,500 live turtles found in abandoned luggage

Officials in the Philippines believe smuggler got cold feet after learning of harsh penalties for wildlife traffickers

Turtles
Some of the turtles were wrapped in duct tape to restrict their movement
(Image credit: Bureau of Customs NAIA)

Officials examining four suitcases abandoned at an airport in the Philippines found more than 1,500 live turtles packed inside.

The unusual haul was discovered by workers at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport who opened the unclaimed baggage to find each suitcase filled with plastic boxes containing species including “Star Tortoise, Redfoot Tortoise, Sulcata Tortoise [and] Red-eared Slider”, the Manila Bulletin reports.

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