crime
Animal keepers feed alligator from suitcase
The alligator wrapped in cling film lies in a suitcase at Munich Airport. photo
© -/Main Customs Office Munich/dpa
A traveler tried to smuggle a live alligator through customs in Munich. However, security staff discovered the animal.
An alligator freed from a traveller’s luggage by customs at Munich Airport has been nursed back to health by animal keepers. A passenger attempted to smuggle the live albino alligator through airport security on September 25.
As reported by Munich’s main customs office, security check employees discovered the alligator when X-raying suitcases. “They immediately informed the customs officers who, when opening the suitcase, found a living white alligator wrapped in cling film,” said customs spokesman Thomas Meister on Thursday.
Together with a veterinarian, the customs officers would have freed the animal and taken over the first aid for the alligator.
Taken to a reptile sanctuary
The approximately one meter long crocodile was initially in poor health. In a sanctuary for reptiles, it was then nursed back to health. “Now the animal is fine again,” said Master.
Customs has only now published the September discovery so as not to jeopardize the interim investigations into the background to the smuggling. A 42-year-old businessman is said to have taken the animal in his luggage.
The investigators demanded a high five-digit security deposit from him and confiscated the man’s mobile phone. After that he was allowed to travel on to Singapore. The 42-year-old made a stopover in Munich.
According to customs, up to 75,000 euros are paid for such albino alligators in Asia. Criminal proceedings are pending against the 42-year-old for violations of the Species Protection and Animal Welfare Act.