Smuggling Stopped: Seven Monitor Lizards Rescued at Vienna Airport

The 55-year-old German initially attempted to smuggle the reptiles from Doha to Johannesburg, according to the Ministry of Finance on Monday. In the Qatari capital, he was denied transit due to missing documents. The scaly reptiles were transferred to a transport box and, like the traveler himself, sent back to Vienna on the next flight.

Seven live monitor lizards seized at Vienna Airport

Based on a tip from the airline, customs officers conducted a focused inspection at the airport in Schwechat last Sunday upon the arrival of the flight from Doha. During this inspection, five live ornate monitor lizards and two Borneo earless monitor lizards were found with the German passenger. After consulting with the border veterinarian and the Schönbrunn Zoo, the reptiles were taken to the zoo due to their poor health condition to receive care.

"Violations of species protection are not a trivial offense but a threat to global biodiversity," commented State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (ÖVP) on the seizure. A financial penalty procedure was initiated against the 55-year-old because the seven monitor lizards are subject to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Fines of up to 20,000 euros are possible, according to the ministry. Additionally, the German citizen was reported for violating the Animal Transport Act and animal cruelty.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.