Man caught with 300 tortoises and 77 parrots bound for Malta at Sicilian port
Summary
A Maltese man was caught trying to illegally transport 300 tortoises and 77 parrots from Sicily to Malta. Many of the parrots were protected species, and the man faces charges for animal cruelty and breaking international wildlife trade laws.Key Facts
- The man was stopped at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo near a boarding area for a Malta-bound catamaran.
- The animals were packed in a car without enough space or proper temperature control.
- Veterinarians confirmed that 76 parrots belonged to species protected by the Washington Convention, an agreement to stop trade in endangered animals.
- The animals were taken to a breeding facility for care.
- The man faces charges for causing suffering to the animals and breaking laws on trading protected species.
- Italy is a major transit point for illegal exotic animal trade, often linked to organized crime.
- Earlier cases include a man found with a dried crocodile head at an airport and illegal chimpanzee possession in Sicily.
- The Italian WWF reported that various exotic animals are traded illegally through the internet and across borders.
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