Rare African beetles seized in Philadelphia during smuggling attempt to Germany, U.S. officials say
PHILADELPHIA —
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said rare Chief Goliath beetles that were being smuggled through Philadelphia in an air cargo shipment from North Carolina to Germany were seized.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Parcel containing beetles labeled as toys
Officials said CBP officers inspected an outbound parcel on Aug. 18 that was labeled as “4x play toy.” Inside, officers found three large live beetles, a container holding beetle parts and two shadow boxes designed to display insect specimens, according to the agency.
Entomologists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service identified the live insects as female Chief Goliath beetles. They identified the dead specimens as three stag beetles, according to CBP.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Rare African beetles
Authorities said Chief Goliath beetles are native to African rainforests and are considered increasingly rare in the wild because of deforestation, agricultural expansion and overharvesting for the international pet trade.
“Exotic insects are highly popular among collectors and insect enthusiasts and are illegally sold through underground markets,” CBP said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The agency said live beetles are classified as wildlife and require permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be imported or exported. Wildlife inspectors asked CBP to seize the shipment as smuggled wildlife after reviewing the findings.
“The illegal trade of exotic pets brings hefty profits for those willing to risk destroying a wildlife species and violating U.S. laws and regulations,” Elliot N. Ortiz, CBP’s acting area port director in Philadelphia, said in a statement.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The live beetles were transferred to the USDA, while the remainder of the shipment was turned over to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
The service is investigating possible violations of the Endangered Species Act and the Lacey Act related to an undeclared commercial wildlife export and to trading wildlife without a license, according to CBP.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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