4,000 Endangered Turtles Seized at Lima Airport

More than 4,000 endangered turtles were seized by authorities at the Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Peru. The endangered Arrau and Taricaya turtles were found in plastic containers headed to Indonesia. 

Animal trafficking is very common out of airports across South America, specifically with those near the Amazon rainforest. The freshwater turtles — the largest species of river turtles in the Amazon — are listed as critically endangered. The Lima airport, which is expecting to open with its new renovations in 2025, has released the endangered turtles to a licensed breeding center in the capital city. 

The Peruvian government seizes thousands of animals each year, most of which are taken from their original habitats. However, these incidents are continent-wide. In January of 2024, a Brazilian woman was apprehended at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá (BOG), for smuggling 130 endangered poisonous frogs, worth an estimated USD $130 thousand.

Black market animal trade out of the Amazon continues to be a massive concern to international conservation efforts. Along with the turtles, other reptiles such as snakes, birds, and even big cats continue to be trafficked. Populations of Amazonian animals have dropped recently, including turtles, which are sold to international buyers. Experts believe that roughly 9% of all animal trade are those on the endangered species list. The estimated value of the illegal animal trade is USD $20 billion, according to INTERPOL.

Airport customs and security teams have to be diligent in locating the animals before they leave the country. Invasive species in new ecological environments can destroy local animal habitats, for both animal and plant life. Additional import/export controls are being implemented in developing economies to protect local animal environments and promote eco-tourism.