A traveler was apprehended upon arrival in India for smuggling two endangered apes concealed in his luggage. Customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport made the shocking discovery on October 30, finding two silvery gibbons hidden inside a basket in the passenger’s bag. Video footage from the airport shows officials with one of the animals, believed to be approximately two and four months old, respectively.
Tragically, one of the gibbons had already perished. An Indian customs official stated, “During the inspection, we discovered two gibbons, one aged around two months and the other around four months, concealed inside a basket within a trolley bag.”
These rare primates, originating from Indonesian forests, are classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Initial investigations by Indian authorities indicate that the traveler, identified as a foreign national, had journeyed from Malaysia to Thailand before flying to India.
Authorities suspect that a member of an international smuggling ring handed the bag containing the gibbons to the passenger in Thailand, instructing him to deliver it upon reaching India. The syndicate is believed to have coordinated the passenger’s travel itinerary and logistics.
Efforts are underway to identify other individuals involved in the smuggling scheme. According to the IUCN, recent research suggests a significant risk of the silvery gibbon, scientifically known as Hylobates moloch, becoming extinct within a century.
As per information from Chester Zoo, these apes typically remain with their family for eight years and have a lifespan of around 35 years, extending up to 50 years under human care.
In a separate incident in 2022, customs officials in Munich, Germany, were shocked to find two whole roasted antelopes in a passenger’s luggage. The woman, from Ghana, claimed she packed them as a snack due to their delicacy in her country. Despite her explanation, the antelopes were confiscated for immediate disposal as per animal health regulations. A Customs Headquarters spokesperson in Munich termed the seizure as extraordinary.
