154 Exotic Animals, Including Baby Anacondas, Seized At Mumbai Airport; Thane Woman Booked

Last Updated:October 24, 2025, 10:21 IST

Hidden inside plastic containers in her luggage, the haul included four baby anacondas, iguanas, bearded dragons, tortoises, turtles, lizards, and raccoons.

Baby Anacondas Among 154 Exotic Animals Confiscated (Photo: X)

Mumbai Customs officers intercepted a Thane-based woman at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for attempting to smuggle 154 exotic animals. 

Hidden inside plastic containers in her luggage, the haul included four baby anacondas, iguanas, bearded dragons, tortoises, turtles, lizards, and raccoons. This marks the first time in at least five years that baby anacondas, a foreign snake species, have been seized at Mumbai Airport.

The seized species are protected under international laws, including CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), as well as the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Following the seizure, wildlife rescue experts from the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) were called in to safely handle, stabilise, and provide medical care to the animals.

The woman has been booked under both the Customs Act, 1962, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Authorities are investigating to trace the source and intended recipients of the smuggled wildlife, highlighting the ongoing challenges of illegal exotic animal trade in India.

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) will oversee the deportation of the animals back to their count

Shuddhanta Patra

Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public...Read More

Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public...

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News india 154 Exotic Animals, Including Baby Anacondas, Seized At Mumbai Airport; Thane Woman Booked

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