Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 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

B.C. government to provide additional $25 million for marine restoration projects

B.C. government to provide additional $25 million for marine restoration projects
Environment Minister George Heyman told a news conference Tuesday that debris from more than 4,600 kilometres of shoreline has been removed so far, while creating more than 1,700 jobs. He says the new funding will allow the initiatives to continue to protect the coast and the communities that live there.

B.C. government to provide additional $25 million for marine restoration projects

B.C. housing non-profit at heart of controversy names interim CEO

B.C. housing non-profit at heart of controversy names interim CEO
Atira says its new CEO Catherine Roome is an experienced leader in both the public and private sectors and will head the organization until a permanent replacement for Abbott is found. Atira board chair Elva Kim says recruiting Roome is part of its effort to "restore public confidence" in the housing provider after Abbott's departure earlier this month.   

B.C. housing non-profit at heart of controversy names interim CEO

'Serve all Albertans': Smith says UCP majority government to focus on economy

'Serve all Albertans': Smith says UCP majority government to focus on economy
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it’s time to put personal and political attacks in the “rear-view mirror” and focus on the province’s economy. Smith’s United Conservative Party won a majority government in Monday’s provincial election. 

'Serve all Albertans': Smith says UCP majority government to focus on economy

BC Ferries to reduce congestion at Horseshoe Bay terminal

BC Ferries to reduce congestion at Horseshoe Bay terminal
To encourage more travellers to use the mid-Island link between Tsawwassen and Duke Point, a number of saver fares will be offered, including one at 39-dollars for a vehicle and driver -- a roughly 50 per cent savings.

BC Ferries to reduce congestion at Horseshoe Bay terminal

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF
The B-C Teachers Federation has completed its first-ever survey of members and says the results show teachers' stress and workloads are climbing. Roughly 40 per cent of teachers say they have less preparation time this year than they did in 2022 and approximately the same number say their physical or mental health is worse than it was last year.

Survey shows teachers stressed: BCTF

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour
North Vancouver R-C-M-P say they were alerted to a man "causing public alarm" Monday morning on the Mosquito Creek trail under an overpass, and officers had to confront his "aggressive" and threatening behaviour. 

Police incident in North Van shuts down Highway 1 yesterday, to deal with man's erratic behaviour