Smuggling of exotic pets foiled: 10 critically endangered Bali Starlings at Chennai airport, customs arrests trio

CHENNAI: Customs sleuths at Chennai airport seized 10 Bali Starlings, one of the most beautiful birds in the world and a critically endangered species, from two passengers who smuggled them from Malaysia for the illegal pet trade in the early hours of Friday.

A receiver was also arrested.Based on information, the air intelligence unit (AIU) of Chennai Customs camped in the international arrival terminal and subjected passengers of an Indigo flight from Kuala Lumpur to Chennai to checks. Two flyers were intercepted, and their check-in baggage was thoroughly scanned. Customs sleuths found cages concealed in carton boxes and seized them. A total of 10 birds were seized from the duo.Inquiries revealed that the birds were smuggled for sale in the illegal exotic pet trade. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) officials were informed, and they reached the airport and identified the birds as Bali Mynahs or Bali Starlings. The flyers were arrested, and a receiver who was waiting outside the airport was also arrested.

The Bali Starling, which is endemic to Bali in Indonesia, is a critically endangered species as it is in high demand in the exotic pet trade for its looks, with a combination of contrasting colours of plumage. The bird was declared nearly extinct in the 2000s, with the overall population of the birds sliding below 100. However, due to efforts, the bird's population is on the rise again, but the species remains classified as critically endangered.Though attempts have been made to smuggle birds into the country to raise them as exotic pets, Customs sleuths said they have not come across Bali Mynahs before. The seized birds will be deported to Kuala Lumpur, said Customs sleuths.