Vipers, turtles found in luggage highlights growing Thailand-India wildlife trafficking trend, says NGO

AI Summary

Venomous vipers and other reptiles found in luggage on a Thailand-India flight highlight a worrying trend in wildlife trafficking for the exotic pet trade. Indian customs arrested an individual carrying dozens of snakes and turtles, including the near-threatened spider-tailed horned viper. Over 7,000 animals have been seized on this route in the last 3.5 years, with most interceptions occurring in India. The high frequency of live animal seizures indicates a strong demand for exotic pets. Increased investigation into trafficking networks and regional cooperation are needed to combat this issue.