Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) – A monitor intended for consumption has been secured by the customs office at Düsseldorf Airport. The animal arrived grilled and “fully prepared” as part of a freight shipment from Nigeria and was intended for a private individual in Wuppertal, the main customs office said on Friday. The cargo shipment also contained hairpieces, spices and various textiles.
Monitor lizards are covered by the Washington Convention on the Protection of Species and, according to the information, enjoy the second highest level of protection there. According to the information, an import would only be possible with a specific certificate. However, the addressee of the shipment was unable to produce such. He is now awaiting a fine for illegally importing a protected species. The steppe monitor was disposed of.
