Turtle Devastation
Airport authorities in the Galapagos Islands confiscated a suitcase containing 185 baby tortoises.
The shelled youngsters, all individually wrapped in plastic, were found inside a suitcase as it was passing through an X-ray machine to be loaded onto a flight bound for mainland Ecuador. Authorities have launched an investigation into what they say was likely a smuggling operation.
Of the 185 tortoises, 10 had died. The others have been sent to a veterinary hospital for examination and treatment. So far no charges have been filed. Smuggling the tortoises off the islands in punishable up to three years in prison. (Fox News)
Scott's Thoughts:
- They're small now, but these little creatures are going to get very big... and very old. Many can live over 100 years.
- (Dad joke alert) Of course they're going to take a flight. Do you know how long it would take them to walk there?
- If there's one thing this has tortoise (taught us), it's that people are willing to try smuggling anything to make money