In brief
A 28-year-old South Korean man was arrested at Lima's international airport while attempting to smuggle 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes, and nine bullet ants, all taken from Peru’s Amazon region. The illegal trafficking of these endangered species underscores the ongoing threats to biodiversity.
In a startling incident at the international airport near Lima, Peru, customs officials detained a 28-year-old South Korean man who attempted to board a flight carrying a large number of endangered creatures hidden under his clothing. Officers noted the man's noticeably swollen abdomen and required him to lift his shirt, leading to the discovery of a disturbing haul: 320 tarantulas, 110 centipedes, and nine bullet ants, all of which were tucked away in small plastic bags and concealed by filter paper. The authorities revealed that the bags were affixed with strong adhesive tape to two girdles strapped around his body. The collection included 35 adult tarantulas—each as large as a human hand—and 285 juvenile tarantulas. All specimens were identified as native to Peru’s vulnerable Amazon ecosystem, highlighting the illegal wildlife trafficking crisis facing the region. Walter Silva, a wildlife specialist from Peru's National Forest and Wildlife Service, confirmed that the tarantulas are classified as endangered, which makes their trade illegal. Silva emphasized the weight of the problem, stating, “All were extracted illegally and are part of the illegal wildlife trafficking that moves millions of dollars in the world.” Following his arrest, the man, who aimed to return to South Korea with a stopover in France, faces an ongoing investigation from the authorities, although specific charges have yet to be disclosed. The incident underscores the urgent need for greater protection of biodiversity and stricter regulations against wildlife trafficking in Peru and beyond.
