Ecuadorian authorities detained a Russian citizen at Quito airport on Friday while trying to leave the country with 32 marine iguanas hidden in her travel suitcase. The reptiles were distributed across eight plastic containers inside the luggage.
The iguanas were found in a weakened and dehydrated state, revealing the precarious conditions in which they were being transported. After the discovery, the animals were sent to a specialized conservation center.
The case draws attention to the trafficking of protected species in South America, where the illegal export of wild animals represents a significant threat to biodiversity. Ecuadorian authorities are now investigating the full circumstances of the incident.
