Officials discovered nearly 200 baby tortoises wrapped in plastic in a suitcase in a Galapagos airport

Erin SnodgrassApr 1, 2021, 07:22 IST

A wildlife official handles a baby turtle that was found along with other turtles in a suitcase at the airport before they could be smuggled from the Galapagos Islands, in Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador March 29, 2021.via REUTERS

Nearly 200 baby tortoises were discovered in a suitcase by officials at a Galapagos airport Sunday.
Officials said they believed the hatchlings were removed from tortoise nests on Santa Cruz Island.
The tortoises have been sent to the Giant Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Center to be cared for.

Officials at an airport on the Galapagos Islands discovered 185 newborn tortoises hidden in a suitcase going through a security X-ray.

A wildlife official handles baby turtles that were found in a suitcase at the airport before they could be smuggled from the Galapagos, in Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador March 29, 2021. via REUTERs

Wildlife officials estimate most of the tortoises are between one- to six-months-old, including some that appear to be newly hatched.

A wildlife official measures a baby turtle that was found along with other turtles in a suitcase at the airport before they could be smuggled from the Galapagos Islands, in Santa Cruz. via REUTERS.

Wacho Tapia, the director of conservation at Galapagos Conservancy, said he thinks the tortoises were removed from tortoise nests on Santa Cruz Island.

Baby turtles are seen in crates. via REUTERS

Galapagos giant tortoises are the largest living tortoises in the world, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

In this photo released by Galapagos National Park, giant tortoises stand moments after release to their original habitat on Isla Espanola, Galapagos National Park, Ecuador, Monday, June 15, 2020. Galapagos National Park via AP

The surviving hatchlings have been sent to the Giant Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Center on Santa Cruz Island where they will be cared for.

A police officer has been arrested in connection to the incident, according to CNN.

Baby turtles are seen in a pen. via REUTERS

There are only 20,000-25,000 wild tortoises left living on the islands, according to estimates by the Galapagos Conservancy.

Wildlife officials handle baby turtles. via REUTERS

The conservancy said it is working closely with authorities to increase security around the natural tortoise nesting sites to prevent future trafficking attempts.

A wildlife official handles baby turtles. via REUTERS

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