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Spider Smuggling Skyrockets: 2,000 Tarantulas Seized!
10 Dec
Summary
- Over 2,000 live tarantulas seized in one month, including endangered species.
- Illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest international crime globally.
- Smuggled spiders face high death rates due to poor transport conditions.
Border Force officials have reported a significant escalation in spider smuggling, with a single month's seizures yielding over 2,000 live tarantulas, including protected endangered species valued at approximately £70,000. This represents a stark increase from previous years, where numbers were considerably lower, indicating a new trend in illegal wildlife trafficking.
The rise in exotic pet ownership, propelled by online marketplaces and social media trends, is identified as a primary driver behind this illicit trade. Smugglers employ deceptive methods like false paperwork and mislabeled shipments to evade detection. Unfortunately, many of these creatures endure high death rates due to harsh transport conditions, including poor packaging and unsuitable temperatures.
This crackdown is part of a wider international effort against wildlife crime, recognized as the fourth largest global criminal enterprise. Seizures have also included endangered birds and reptiles, underscoring the broad scope of illegal wildlife trafficking. Authorities emphasize that combating this crime disrupts funding for dangerous criminal gangs and protects both animal welfare and conservation efforts.
