Heathrow border officers seize smuggled eggs, vulture chicks

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Two vulture chicks and 17 eggs belonging to rare or endangered birds of prey were seized at Heathrow Airport in London last week.

A 56-year-old Irish man who had arrived on a flight from South Africa was arrested when the border officers found these eggs hidden in his body belt.

According to authorities, the eggs belong to species such as vultures, eagles, kites and hawks.

Two newborn vulture chicks and 17 eggs belonging to rare or endangered birds of prey were seized at Heathrow Airport . /Sohu Photo

The eggs and vulture chicks were sent to the Heathrow Animal Reception Center and later to a specialist facility where they will be incubated and cared for. These birds are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

According to BirdLife, whose mission is to conserve birds, there are a total of 11 vulture species in Africa, of which seven are on the brink of extinction. People use vultures’ body parts as food and medicine in shamanistic rituals.

The border officers found the eggs hidden in an Irish man's body belt. /Sohu Photo

Grant Miller, head of Heathrow's Cites team, was quoted by local media as saying, "By preventing the smuggling attempt, (the team) have also ensured that the birds and eggs received the immediate care and attention that they needed. The frontline work of my team is a key to tackling the international illegal wildlife trade which threatens the survival of endangered animals and plants."

The investigation has been passed to the National Crime Agency and the suspect is on bail pending further inquiries.