May 21, 2010
Tortoises in suitcases seized at Edmonton airport
By CBC News
CBC News

Border officials at Edmonton International Airport seized three Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoises hidden in suitcases on an international flight.

The seizure was made May 14, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced Friday.

"Our detector dog, Max, was really interested in three suitcases as they were patrolling the baggage carousel area," said Lisa White, a Calgary-based CBSA spokesperson.

"He indicated on the three bags and ... the border officer pulled these three bags aside and after inspecting these three bags, officers found the three tortoises in two suitcases along with prohibited plant and food material."

The tortoises were found inside cardboard boxes packed into the suitcases.

The bags were on a direct flight from London but White believes the tortoises originally came from Egypt. She doesn't know how long they were inside the suitcases.

The bags also contained meat and cheese products.

The three tortoises are now in the hands of Environment Canada. One of them is ill, White said.

It is illegal for anyone to import tortoises into Canada.

A man from Edmonton is currently under investigation in connection with the unusual cargo.

White said she couldn't release any additional details about the investigation nor would she speculate as to whether the tortoises were brought into Canada for commercial or personal purposes.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/05/21/edmonton-tortoises-seized-airport.html

The tortoises were found packed in cardboard boxes inside the suitcases. This photo may have been altered to remove identifying details, the Canada Border Services Agency says. (Canada Border Services Agency)