Home / Crime and Justice / Italy Seizes Hundreds of Protected Animals in Sicily
Italy Seizes Hundreds of Protected Animals in Sicily
5 Oct
Summary
- Over 300 tortoises and 77 parrots were discovered in a car.
- Seventy-six parrots belonged to species protected by the Washington convention.
- A Maltese man faces animal cruelty and smuggling charges.
Italian financial police in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo recently discovered a significant animal smuggling operation. A Maltese citizen was apprehended while attempting to transport approximately 300 tortoises and 77 parrots to Malta via a catamaran.
The animals were found packed into a car that lacked adequate space and temperature control, indicating severe mistreatment. Veterinarians later identified 76 parrots as belonging to species protected under the 1973 Washington convention, a global agreement safeguarding endangered flora and fauna.
This seizure represents one of the most substantial under the convention. The man is now facing multiple charges, including keeping animals in inhumane conditions, causing them severe suffering, and violating international trade laws for protected species. The rescued animals have been placed in a breeding facility.
This incident highlights Italy's role as a major transit hub for the illegal exotic animal trade, which is often linked to organized crime. Reports indicate a thriving illicit market for various species, including tortoises, ornamental birds, and reptiles, frequently traded online and across borders.
