Some of the turtles had also been found wrapped in duct tape, packed within plastic bins. (Bureau of Customs NAIA)
FOX NEWS - Authorities in the Philippines were likely shell-shocked upon discovering more than 1,500 turtles stuffed inside four pieces of luggage at Manila’s airport.
Officials confirmed Monday that the turtles and tortoises — which included at least one threatened species — were found abandoned in the arrivals area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday.
The Bureau of Customs believes the luggage and its contents were left behind after the Filipino passenger — who flew in from Hong Kong on Philippine Airlines — “may have been informed of the vigilance of Bureau of Customs against illegal wildlife trade and its penalties, thus leaving the four (4) X-Rayed luggage unclaimed in the arrival area,” the agency wrote on Facebook.