Authorities in Ecuador have arrested a Russian woman on accusations of attempting to smuggle at least 32 marine iguanas out of the country. The arrest took place on Saturday at the airport in Quito, where police discovered the animals concealed within eight plastic containers inside a suitcase.
According to police reports shared on X, the suspect was planning to transport the creatures to Iceland. The marine iguanas, an endemic species native to the Galapagos Islands, are currently classified as vulnerable.
The Ministry of Environment in Ecuador reported that the rescued iguanas were found in a feeble and dehydrated state. A team of veterinarians has since transferred the animals to a conservation center, where they will remain under medical care until their health improves.
While the identity of the woman has not been disclosed, authorities stated that they intend to charge her with wildlife trafficking. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence of up to three years in prison. The Galapagos archipelago, located approximately 620 miles, or 1,000 kilometers, west of Ecuador, has been recognized as a National Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1979 due to its exceptional biodiversity.
