Italian authorities have seized 377 exotic animals hidden in a car at a Sicilian port, leading to animal cruelty charges against a Maltese man. The man allegedly attempted to transport 300 tortoises and 77 parrots from Sicily to Malta.
Inspection at Pozzallo port
The animals were discovered packed into a car near the boarding area for a Malta-bound catamaran during an inspection at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. The local unit of Italy's financial police squad reported the incident on Monday.
Subsequent checks by veterinarians found that 76 of the parrots belonged to species protected by the Washington convention, a global agreement signed in 1973 to protect endangered plants and animals from the risk of international trade.
Significant seizure
Police said the seizure was one of the most significant under the convention. The animals have been entrusted to a breeding facility, police added.
