SOUTH AFRICAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION (Johannesburg) 07 March 08 Endangered reptiles found abandoned at OR airport
The NSPCA (The National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) says three animal transport crates containing endangered reptiles were found abandoned at O.R. Tambo International Airport today.
NSPCA's National Inspector Alistair Sinclair said the organisation arrived at the airport after a tip-off and found five crates that were emanating a "nauseating stench".
Two of the crates, that were destined for Spain, were returned to Madagascar because the transporting agent had not paid the duties. The three remaining crates, destined for the Czech Republic, were taken to the Johannesburg Zoo and unpacked.
Sinclair said the crates contained "hundreds" of snakes, geckos, lizards, chameleons and arthropods, contrary to the consignment listing lizards and frogs. He estimated that about 10% to 15% of the animals had died during the five to six days they had been in the crates and he expected more to die of dehydration during the following days.
Sinclair said the incident "again" proved that animal welfare concerns were not adequately addressed by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). "The crates [that were returned to Madagascar] had been there for 12 to 14 days and nobody was bothered that these animals would eventually die," he said.
Endangered reptiles found abandoned at OR airport