These remains of protected and imported animals as “memories” were intercepted in a few months in the airports of Marseille-Provence, Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and at the port of Fos-sur-Mer.
Customs announced Thursday that it had seized in recent months alligators, exotic bird feathers and skulls of marine species in three distinct cases revealing according to them «the magnitude of the protected species traffic ».
The customs services first intercepted on March 24 at Marseille-Provence Airport nearly 600 pieces of alligator skin not declared leaving for Tunisia. “Used in particular in luxury leather goods for bags, belts or watch bracelets, alligator skin can reach several thousand euros on the legal market”explains customs in a press release.
Pass advertising
Nearly 500 bird feathers were then discovered on July 2 at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airport in a package from Costa Rica for Italy. The vast majority of them belonged to a protected species, the Ara Macao, a large parrot in bright colors, and the others with resplendent quetzal, a smaller bird with bright green plumage.
Kept as “memories”
“These feathers are prized for their exceptional radiance and their bright colors: red, blue, emerald green. They are used in traditional clothing, luxury plumasser, but also in decorative objects and to enrich private collections or curiosity firms ”detail customs. The customs officials of Fos-Port-Saint-Louis, near Marseille, found on July 10 left marine species in a container from the Kerguelen islands, in Antarctica.
Among these remains were gorfou skulls and yellow beak albatrosses, skulls and sea lion jaws, and sperm whale, orca and sea elephant teeth. According to the first elements of the investigation, the three individuals at the origin of their import had kept them as «souvenirs» When they returned to metropolitan France.
“Skulls and teeth are however frequently sought after for curiosity firms”specify customs, which call for «vigilance» during this vacation period. “A simple memory can sometimes break strict rules on the protection of flora and fauna”they recall.
