Man Smuggling 10 Anacondas From Bangkok Arrested At Bengaluru Airport

A passenger arriving from Bangkok was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after 10 yellow anacondas were found concealed in the check-in baggage. The Bengaluru Customs Department shared the photos of the rescued snakes and wrote that the “investigation is underway”. Officials further asserted “wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated.” In response to this post, an X user asked why animals are not intercepted by authorities at the boarding airport itself which can prevent wildlife smuggling sooner. More information is awaited on this case.

Anacondas are not native to India and it is illegal to keep them as pets. The yellow anaconda found with the passenger is endemic to South American countries like Paraguay, Bolivia, northeastern Argentina, and northern Uruguay. In many places, anacondas are kept as pets by exotic animal enthusiasts. Anacondas are also smuggled for their skin in the illegal pet trade.

This is not the first time that animal smugglers were intercepted at Kempegowda International Airport. In 2023, three passengers were caught with 14 reptiles and four primates. The animals were handed over to the Karnataka Forest Department. As per the Times of India, the investigation into the matter led officials to a farmhouse located on the outskirts of Bengaluru. In this farmhouse, officials rescued 139 wild animals including anacondas, monkeys, and even exotic birds of various species.

Despite stringent laws on wildlife trade across the world, wildlife smuggling remains a persistent problem. In June 2022, two Indian women were arrested at Bangkok airport after they were found with 109 wild animals in their suitcases. These animals included turtles, white porcupines, lizards, and snakes. The women were going to Chennai on a Thai Airways flight. Bangkok Post reported that the women were booked under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2019, the Animal Act of 2015 and the Customs Act of 2017.

A press release issued by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said that two iguanas were found dead and all reptiles were in a dehydrated state at the time of their rescue. The animals were promptly supported with vitamin supplements and sent to a wildlife rescue centre. Many animals that are smuggled via airports often die en route as they are kept in tight boxes or luggage to avoid detection and their escape.