Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Border officers at Edmonton airport find tarantulas in plastic container, toy plane

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Aug, 2023 09:48 AM
  • Border officers at Edmonton airport find tarantulas in plastic container, toy plane

The Canada Border Services Agency says officers discovered two live tarantulas hidden inside plastic containers at the Edmonton International Airport earlier this year. 

In May, officers saw irregularities in a small package from Hong Kong and found a male tarantula hidden inside a plastic container. 

Weeks later, an inspection of another package from the same shipper found a female spider hidden inside a children’s toy plane. 

It turns out the species of tarantula, which is native to Hong Kong, did not require permits to import into Canada.

But the agency says the spiders were seized because they weren't transported humanely.

They have since found a new home at the Royal Alberta Museum. 

The agency says all living creatures, including pets, must be declared when importing them into Canada in order to avoid spreading disease and introducing foreign species.

"CBSA officers were able to find and rescue these two tarantulas from inhumane shipping methods. All living creatures need to be transported and imported properly to keep Canada’s ecosystem and biodiversity safe," said Lisa Laurencelle-Peace, the agency's regional director of the Prairie region. 

"The CBSA works closely with its enforcement partners, including (Environment and Climate Change Canada) enforcement officers, to keep Canada’s border secure and stop the illegal wildlife trade."

 

MORE National ARTICLES

18 year old assaulted with a baseball bat

18 year old assaulted with a baseball bat
Witnesses told police, the suspect was seen approaching the victim wearing a mask and carrying a baseball bat. The suspect then allegedly hit the victim with the bat and kicked him before fleeing on foot with a group of 4-5 youths. Bystanders provided first aid to the 18-year man until such time that emergency first responders arrived on scene.

18 year old assaulted with a baseball bat

B.C. launches $20M flood mitigation fund for the Fraser Valley

B.C. launches $20M flood mitigation fund for the Fraser Valley
A statement from the Agriculture Ministry says the funding will be used for community-scale projects that protect and restore local ecosystems and wetlands, such as culvert improvements, embankment stabilization and crop diversification.

B.C. launches $20M flood mitigation fund for the Fraser Valley

Search for missing submersible near Titanic wreck site a race against time

Search for missing submersible near Titanic wreck site a race against time
The search, in an area about 700 kilometres south of St. John’s, N.L., is in a race against time because the 6.4-metre vessel had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it submerged on Sunday morning, according to an adviser for owner OceanGate Expeditions.

Search for missing submersible near Titanic wreck site a race against time

4 fined $17K for fisheries violations

4 fined $17K for fisheries violations
A Victoria provincial court judge found the violations happened off Galiano Island in May of last year when officers checked a nearly seven-metre vessel, discovering a cache of hidden rock fish -- including three Yelloweye rock fish, which are illegal to retain.  

4 fined $17K for fisheries violations

2 hurt in Prince George home invasion

2 hurt in Prince George home invasion
R-C-M-P say it happened just after eight last night in a home in the city's Quinson neighbourhood, northwest of the downtown core. Investigators haven't said how many people might have been involved in the attack or how they were called to the home.

2 hurt in Prince George home invasion

Dr.Theresa Tam says to protect health amidst wildfires

Dr.Theresa Tam says to protect health amidst wildfires
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the smoke from the fires contains microscopic particles that pose significant risk to both humans and animals. The particles can cause asthma attacks, compound breathing problems for people with C-O-P-D, and potentially lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.

Dr.Theresa Tam says to protect health amidst wildfires