Three endangered eagle chicks rescued from traffickers in Russia
- 10 months ago
Border guards saved three young endangered eagle chicks found hidden in a truck travelling to Russia.
The truck from Uzbekistan had been stopped for a routine check at the Russian side of the Ozinki border.
As guards checked the truck’s contents, they were baffled by faint squeaks coming from the toolbox.
When they opened a cardboard carton inside they were amazed to find three recently hatched Steppe Eagles.
Video shows the birds squatting in the box with food and water.
The 26-year-old trucker - whose identity has not been revealed by the Federal Border Guard Service - has been arrested after the discovery.
If found guilty of endangered species trafficking, the driver and any accomplices face up to seven years in jail.
The truck from Uzbekistan had been stopped for a routine check at the Russian side of the Ozinki border.
As guards checked the truck’s contents, they were baffled by faint squeaks coming from the toolbox.
When they opened a cardboard carton inside they were amazed to find three recently hatched Steppe Eagles.
Video shows the birds squatting in the box with food and water.
The 26-year-old trucker - whose identity has not been revealed by the Federal Border Guard Service - has been arrested after the discovery.
If found guilty of endangered species trafficking, the driver and any accomplices face up to seven years in jail.