Ten rare crocodiles seized at London airport
Date: 16-Jul-02
Country: UK
The African dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetraspis), which are an endangered species, were intercepted by customs officers on a stopover. Their transit documents were found to be forged.
"The consigment was supposed to be American alligators and Nile crocodiles," said Charles Mackay, head of the Customs CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) team at the airport.
"But they turned out to be African Dwarf Crocodiles which are classed as Appendix One, meaning they are banned from international trade," he added.
"They were probably being sent over either for the pet trade or for someone with a small zoo," Mackay said.