Authorities in Ecuador seize 32 marine iguanas at the airport and arrest a Russian woman

Authorities in Ecuador seized 32 marine iguanas at the Quito airport and arrested a Russian woman allegedly attempting to smuggle them out of the country, according to reports from the South American nation. The iguanas were found in eight plastic containers within a suitcase, and the woman was en route to Iceland at the time of her arrest.

Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment revealed that the iguanas were in poor condition, being both weak and dehydrated. A team of veterinarians promptly transferred the reptiles to a conservation center, where they will be monitored until their health improves. The Russian woman, whose name has not been disclosed, is expected to face charges related to wildlife trafficking, with a potential sentence of up to three years in prison if convicted.

Marine iguanas are a species endemic to the Galápagos Islands and are classified as vulnerable. In recognition of their unique biodiversity, the archipelago was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Situated approximately 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the Galápagos Islands boast an extraordinary array of flora and fauna.