Custom inspectors discovered the animals, including iguanas, pythons, tegus, and scorpions, in poor condition after enduring freezing temperatures and a lack of food.
ByTPS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF. JULY 29, 2025
(photo credit: NATURE AND PARKS AUTHORITY)
Israeli authorities seized 140 exotic reptiles and arthropods at Ben-Gurion Airport in a foiled attempt to smuggle them into the country this Tuesday, with many of the animals being crammed into a single suitcase arriving from Thailand.
Custom inspectors discovered the animals, including iguanas, pythons, tegus, and scorpions, in poor condition after enduring freezing temperatures and a lack of food, with one of the snakes dying during the trip.
The suspect, a 25-year-old resident of Jerusalem, is being investigated by the Nature and Parks Authority teams at the scene,” read a joint statement from the Nature and Parks Authority, Tax Authority, and Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
The authorities also informed that a criminal investigation has been opened on suspicion of offenses related to trafficking, unauthorized transfer, illegal importation, and harm to protected wildlife and natural resources.
Smuggling exotic animals is a risk to public health, agriculture, and biodiversity
Officials warned that the animals pose risks to public health, agriculture, and biodiversity. All the surviving creatures were transferred to veterinary care for treatment and quarantine.
Ori Laniel, the Head of the Captive Wildlife Department at the Nature and Parks Authority, who arrived to handle the smuggling incident, stated: “These are animals that are not native to Israel, and they arrived without medical checks or permits. All of them have the potential to spread diseases, could become invasive species, and carry parasites that can harm nature and humans.”
Dr. Shlomo Grazi, the veterinarian responsible for imports and exports at the veterinary services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, commented: “The phenomenon of animal smuggling is especially cruel and causes great suffering to the animals, which are crammed into a suitcase without basic living conditions.
“Moreover, the transport is a traumatic experience for these animals, who were previously accustomed to their natural environment and now must suddenly adapt to a completely different area and climate. In addition, since the animals were not examined and we do not know their health status, they pose a real threat to public health, the health of other animals, and may lead to outbreaks of diseases in Israel.”
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