Philippine's customs authorities seized over 1,500 live tortoises that were being smuggled from Hong Kong into Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday. /VCG Photo

The reptiles, including threatened species such as Star Tortoise, were wrapped in duct tape and abandoned in four items of luggage by the smuggler who was identified by the authorities as a Filipino. /VCG Photo

The illicit wildlife trade was believed to be worth around 86,000 U.S. dollars, according to the bureau. /VCG Photo

The animals were handed over to the Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit of the Philippines Department of Natural Resources. /VCG Photo