Airport Authority Secures Crocodile Skull Stored In Canadian Tourist Suitcase

JAKARTA - A Canadian man was arrested by Indian authorities at New Delhi Airport, after the crocodile's skull was found in his suitcase last week.

The 32-year-old, who was not named by authorities, was on his way to Canada from the Indian capital when he was suspended during a security check at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).

"After being examined, a skull with sharp teeth, resembling the jaw of a baby crocodile, weighing about 777 grams, was found wrapped in a creamed cloth," Delhi Customs tweeted in a statement on X.

Further explained, the skull belongs to a protected species under the country's Wildlife Protection Act and that the man has violated the law and the Customs Law.

Customs said the skull was then handed over to the Department of Forestry and Wildlife for laboratory testing.

"This case highlights serious violations of wildlife and customs laws. Collaboration between Customs and the Department of Forestry is essential to ensure these protected wildlife items are not smuggled," Delhi Customs said.

🚨 Canadian Man Arrested at IGI Airport, New Delhi for carrying Crocodile Skull 🐊

Customs DepartmentIGI Airport, New DelhiDate: 06.01.2025

Flight and Passenger Details:•Flight Number: Air Canada (AC 051)•Route: New Delhi to Canada•Date of Departure: 06.01.2025… pic.twitter.com/qX4qX3nyqZ

— Delhi Customs (Airport & General) (@AirportGenCus) January 9, 2025

Canadian Man Arrested at IGI Airport, New Delhi for carrying Crocodile Skull

Customs DepartmentIGI Airport, New DelhiDate: 06.01.2025

Flight and Passenger Details:03.01.2025...pic.twitter.com/qX4qX3nyqZ

It is known that the Canadian tourist was not the first person to try to carry animals or animal body parts in a gossip bag.

Last year, TSA found a four-foot-long Boa snake in a passenger's bag at Tampa Airport, Florida (TPA), which resulted in a series of snake play on Instagram.

"Our officers don't think this is hysterical!", the agency said.

"We really have no problem finding any pets passing through the X-ray engine." he said.

A 2022 report by TRAFFIC, a non-governmental organization monitoring wildlife trade, found that along with the rapid growth of India's aviation sector, the "usage of airports for wildlife smuggling" in India and across the region.

Between 2011 and 2020, there were around 141 seizures of wildlife reported at airports across India, involving 146 animal species.

Reptiles including crocodiles, lizards, snakes and turtles were the most common groups during that time period, which included 46 percent of the confiscation.

"India is among the top ten countries in terms of using the aviation sector for wildlife trade," said Atul Sebaga, who was then Head of the United Nations (UNEP) Environmental Program in India, after the report was released.

"This is unwanted praise," he said.

The Indian government has sought to crack down on the wildlife trade under the Wildlife Protection Act and as a member of CITES, the highest international lawmaker on wildlife trafficking.