Italian authorities seize 77 parrots and 300 turtles in Sicily smuggling bust

Italian customs officers, together with fiscal investigators, halted a van in Sicily that was preparing to board a ferry to Malta with 77 parrots and 300 turtles. The inspection revealed that the cages offered insufficient space and lacked the required temperature regulation for safe animal transport. Most of the birds, 76 out of 77, appear on the CITES list of threatened species, indicating illegal trade in protected wildlife.

The driver, identified as a Maltese national, was arrested on allegations of animal mistreatment and smuggling of endangered fauna. All seized parrots and turtles have been transferred to an appropriate care center. A recent WWF Italy report highlighted Italy’s role as a major conduit for illegal trafficking of protected plants and animals.