Customs officials in the Philippines have seized 1,529 live exotic turtles - many of whom were tied together with duct tape.
The animals were discovered on Sunday by the country's Bureau of Customs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Image: Facebook/Bureau of Customs NAIAThey were then turned over to its Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit.
The live turtles were found inside the luggage of a Filipino passenger who had arrived on a flight from Hong Kong.
They were made up of star tortoise, redfoot tortoise, sulcata tortoise and red-eared sliders.
Image: Facebook/Bureau of Customs NAIAAuthorities have said the passenger left the four x-rayed bags unclaimed in the arrivals area.
Under Filipino law, violators of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act can face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 Philippine pesos (€3,407).
Image: Facebook/Bureau of Customs NAIAOfficials have suggested these penalties may have resulted in the passenger abandoning the bags.
In 2018, authorities turned over a total 560 wildlife and endangered species - including 250 geckos, 254 corals and other reptiles which were caught through air parcels, baggage and shipments.
Image: Facebook/Bureau of Customs NAIAEarlier this year, 63 Iguanas, chameleon and bearded dragons were also intercepted.
