Plane passenger caught with 'zoo' in her suitcase including snakes, turtles and LEOPARD

Plane passenger caught with 'zoo' in her suitcase including snakes, turtles and LEOPARD

The menagerie of exotic animals had been flown 6,515 miles from Indonesia to Moscow via the Middle East

Customs seized 55 snakes, 35 lizards, seven turtles, six lemurs, and two monkeys all stuffed into the suitcase of a female traveller, it was revealed today.

Two baby crocodiles died en route from Jakarta to Moscow but a suspected leopard was also among the frightened survivors after the 6,515 mile ordeal.

The hungry and exhausted animals were discovered by customs officials at Domodedovo airport when they scanned the bag of a female passenger who had flown from Indonesia to Moscow via Qatar.

In the bag, carried on the hold of the aircraft, there were 55 snakes, 35 lizards, seven turtles, six lemurs, and two monkeys.

Caught: Six lemurs were among the frightened survivors
"The animals were packed in tiny cages and plastic boxes and each snake was in small bag made of cloth," said spokeswoman Larisa Ledovskikh.

Experts are trying to identify the "amazingly beautiful kitten with bright green eyes and stripes".

Officials in Moscow suspect it is a leopard cub, a species which is listed in the Red Book of endangered animals.

If true, the woman - who was held in detention pending a decision on any charges - faces up to seven years in jail.

Sad: Two baby crocodiles died en route from Jakarta to Moscow
"It was a sad scene - exhausted monkeys, scared lemurs, the begging green eyes of a beautiful "cat"," wrote newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets.

The animal courier claimed she had bought the animals for $200 USD in a market in Indonesia.

She "for future breeding", she told customs.

Russia has seen examples of smuggled animals sold on the black market for private zoos of wealthy people.

Smuggled: In the bag customs found 55 snakes, 35 lizards, seven turtles, six lemurs, and two monkeys
After being impounded, the hungry and exhausted creatures were handed over to employees of Moscow 'Exotic Park' where they will be cared for until their future is decided.

A handler from the park held the animals for the customs pictures (attached) which will be used as evidence in the case.

"Experts will check the animals and calculate the price of each one," said the spokeswoman.

"They will also establish if any of these animals are under protection of the international convention on rare species."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/plane-passenger-caught-zoo-suitcase-5453248