Mérida, Yucatán — You can’t just pack and ship reptiles.
That rule was underscored this week when parcels containing three green iguanas and seven turtles were found and seized at the Mérida International Airport.
The protected species were rescued during a random check on several courier and parcel companies at the Manuel Crescencio Rejón airport.
Federal police were conducting surprise inspections at the unnamed delivery service’s hangar, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa) reported.
The three green iguanas and the seven tortugas dulceacuícolas are protected by la Norma Oficial 059-Semarnat-2010.
Therefore, the creatures were insured and handed over to Profepa personnel. The case was reported to federal prosecutors.
Source: Profepa
