THE STAR (Petaling Jaya, Mayaysia) 26 June 07 ‘Claypots’ turn out to be tortoises (Royce Cheah)
Photo at URL below: Seized at KLIA: Haidar said the Indian Star tortoises, which were seized at the KLIA on April 26, would be sent back to India today.
Kuala Lumpur: Air-flown claypots from Africa may sound slightly odd and it was this that led to the seizure of 76 smuggled Leopard tortoises here.
The tortoises, which were sent from Tanzania to Malaysia in two parcels, were found strapped down on their shells and their heads tied back to prevent any movement.
It took an alert worker from the post, mail and courier services section at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang to suspect something fishy when the parcels shook but the consignment notice read “claypots”.
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) law and enforcement acting principal assistant director Haidar Khan said the seizure of the tortoises, which were destined to be pets, took place on June 12.
“If it wasn’t for the cooperation we have with the post, mail and courier services, we would not have known. It was also logical for the worker to notice something out of place.
“Each tortoise is worth between RM100 and RM700. The bigger ones can fetch as much as RM1,000. They are worth a lot because their shells are beautiful,” he said.
Haidar said that after the seizure, two of the 76 Leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis) died due to stress.
It was also the first time such tortoises were seized in Malaysia.
“We are now consulting the Tanzanian government to ask them if they want the tortoises back,” he said.
Haidar also said that Perhilitan had on April 26 seized 404 Indian Star tortoises from an Indian national after Customs officials examined his luggage at the KL International Airport.
“It was a clear-cut smuggling attempt as India has banned the export of the Indian Star tortoises, or geochelone elegans,” he added.
Haidar said that of the 404 tortoises, 19 died from stress as they had been placed in one luggage.
“This type of tortoise is very popular in Kuala Lumpur as pets. They can each fetch between RM50 and RM200, depending on the size.”
Haidar said this was the third time Indian Star tortoises had been seized in Malaysia.
The tortoises will be sent back to India today, courtesy of Air India.
‘Claypots’ turn out to be tortoises