NOVOSIBIRSK/ABAKAN,
November 9 (RIA Novosti) - An attempt to smuggle 29 rare falcons worth about
$127,000 out of Russia has been thwarted, the Siberian customs department said
on Friday.
In July, two men, one
from the UAE and the other from Bangladesh, brought 29 falcons into Russia
under the pretext of keeping them in more comfortable conditions during the
UAE's hot summer. They said they planned to return the birds in autumn.
In August the local
sanitary, veterinary and biodiversity authorities examined the birds, which
were being kept in an enclosure near the Siberian city of Chernogorsk, and
compiled a detailed report on their condition.
However, another
examination carried out two months later produced some alarming results: the
birds' identification rings gave different ages and genders. "Some birds
even "changed" their species - gyrfalcons turned into Peregrine and
Saker falcons," the Siberian customs department said.
It became clear that
their owners had planned to replace the birds which were too old and unfit for
falconry with younger ones, caught by Russian poachers.
The birds were seized
and temporarily taken to a rare birds sanctuary in the Republic of Altai. Their
value is estimated at 4 million rubles ($127,000).
Their owners were
charged with attempted smuggling and face up to seven years in prison if found
guilty.
No comments:
Post a Comment