A 54-year-old Mexican man was arrested for attempting to smuggle 12 orange-fronted parakeets, a protected species, across the U.S.-Mexico border. Officers discovered the birds hidden in his boots and vehicle during a secondary inspection at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The birds, suffering from injuries, were tied up and wrapped in nylon stockings. Charged with illegal importation, the man could face a lengthy prison sentence and financial penalties. The U.S. Attorney emphasized the significance of holding individuals accountable for endangering wildlife through such inhumane practices, especially as parakeets have been protected since 2005.
Smuggling at the border takes many forms, but the tragic impact on animals forced into such perilous conditions is deeply troubling.
Orange-fronted parakeets have been protected since 2005, highlighting the need for strict enforcement against illegal wildlife trafficking.
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