Man tried to take 247 animals on plane

A Czech national was nabbed in
Argentina for trying to board a
transatlantic flight with 247 live
animals including poisonous
snakes and endangered reptiles
packed in a bulging suitcase,
reports said Monday.
The man identified as Karel
Abelovsky, 51, was caught while
trying to board a flight for Madrid
when shocked baggage X-ray
technicians and staff at the Iberia
Airlines desk at Ezeiza Airport in
greater Buenos Aires noticed
"organic substances moving
inside," local media reported.
When they opened the bag, they
found more than 200 reptiles and
mollusks, among them nine
species of poisonous snakes
including South American
pitvipers, packed in clear plastic
containers.
There were also 15 venomous
vipers, including two yararas --
which can measure up to 1.50
meters (five feet) -- and several
young boas.
Some of the animals were
reported to be extremely rare and
protected by the Convention on
International Trade in
Endangered Species.
Two of the animals were found
dead and most of the others
could have suffered the same fate
due to a lack of oxygen if the
suitcase had been placed in the
plane's cargo area.
The discovery was made on
December 7 but only recently
came to light. A judge has
charged Abelovsky with
attempted smuggling, and he
faces up to 10 years in prison if
convicted.
Researchers suspect that an
exotic species smuggling ring
was behind the trafficking
attempt.