Chennai: Eight exotic animals seized at airport, two men arrested

The exotic animals, alive and dead, seized at the Chennai airport
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Eight exotic animals were seized by the Chennai Customs officials on March 7, 2025 at Chennai airport and two persons have been arrested. Of the eight, three animals were found dead in the baggage.

Since there was specific intelligence about an attempt to smuggle wildlife, customs officials intercepted two passengers who came in a Malaysian Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur, according to a press release.

Officials who checked their baggage, found various wildlife species concealed. Subsequently, authorities from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau examined and identified the species.

The passengers had hidden a Silvery Lutung (Silvered Leaf Monkey), a dead Sumatran White Beard Palm Civet, two Marbled Pole Cats, two Eastern Grey Gibbon which were alive and two of the same species which had died.

Under the Customs Act, both passengers were arrested and sent to judicial custody. The rescued species were given food and water based on the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau’s advice and then exported back to the country of origin, the release said. Further investigations are underway.