Mini Zoo Found in Suitcase at Airport

Customs officers at Bandaranaike International Airport stopped a 56-year-old passenger who arrived from Bangkok on flight TG-307 after they noticed suspicious behavior. Officers immediately inspected his luggage during routine monitoring. The passenger traveled from the Digana area in Kandy, according to customs officials.

During the inspection, officers found 38 live foreign animals hidden inside plastic cages between clothes. The discovery shocked authorities because the suitcase contained animals of several rare species.

Recovered animals included guinea pigs, rare squirrels, sugar gliders, foreign pigeons, and hedgehogs. Officials described the luggage as a mini zoo hidden inside a suitcase. Customs officers confirmed that the passenger transported the animals without import permits or quarantine clearance. Therefore, authorities immediately seized the animals to prevent illegal wildlife entry into Sri Lanka. Officials estimated the total value of the animals at Rs. 998,000.