Customs officers at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport Tuesday arrested a passenger for attempting to smuggle out endangered birds to Taiwan.
The man, whose name was not disclosed, was found with 18 live birds inside his trouser legs and checked baggage packed in special pouches.
The Institute of Tropical Biology confirmed that 11 of the birds belonged to protected species like the white-rumped shamas (Copsychus malabaricus), oriental shamas (Copsychus saularis) and melodious laughingthrush (Garrulax canorus), all singing birds.
Customs and police are investigating.
The endangered birds a passenger attempting to smuggle to Taiwan. Photo credit: Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs Agency