Bengaluru: The airport customs officers have apprehended two passengers who were carrying animals illegally from Malaysia on light MH0192. The accused had hidden the 40 rare exotic animals in boxes that were put in a trolley bag and were caught at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport.On opening them, the officials found various animals including a big tortoise, star tortoise, red-footed tortoise, lizard and red mouse among others. Animals were found in the box during an inspection at airport.Animesh Garg, deputy commissioner of customs, said, "These cases represent a significant attempt to smuggle highly protected wildlife, some of which are rare species." He added, quoted TOI, "Our officers acted swiftly and ensured that these animals were safely rescued and placed under proper care."The customs officials arrested the two people who had brought the animals and a case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act. Meanwhile, the animals were seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. The two individuals were produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody for 15 days for further investigation.

What All Animals The Two HadAccording to a report, the accused had packed 24 animals in one bag that contained Aldabra giant tortoises, red-footed tortoises, beaded lizards, shingleback skinks, juvenile rhinoceros iguanas, and an Albino bat. When the customs officials opened the second bag, they found 16 animals including Lutino iguana, agile gibbon, baby American alligators and baby leopard tortoises. The report added that these animals are classified under various appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and were found alive. (With inputs from Pinky Rajpurohit)