64 Hermann's tortoises: smuggling in trousers
In the Liantang port of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, Chinese customs officers intercepted 64 live Hermann's tortoises tied to a traveller's legs. When a person tries to hide a living creature inside the sleeves of their trousers, they are not just breaking the law — they are denying that creature's very right to exist. Sixty‑four tortoises wrapped in black stockings, strapped to human legs, are not just a number. They are 64 heartbeats, 64 tiny shells that were meant to be shipped to another country to become someone's trophy or merchandise. And if the customs officers had not noticed the awkward gait, these tortoises would never have seen their homeland again.
Suspicions were aroused when officers noticed unusually stiff movements during a routine inspection. A search revealed dozens of tortoises wrapped in black stockings and hidden inside the trouser legs. Bi Yunxia, a customs officer at Liantang Port, said: "We found a large number of live tortoises wrapped in black stockings and hidden inside the black trouser legs of the traveller, 64 specimens in total. Professional identification later confirmed they were all Hermann's tortoises."
The Hermann's tortoise is a protected species listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The case highlights China's ongoing fight against illegal wildlife trafficking.
Sixty‑four living creatures tied to a person's legs are not just a customs violation. They are another episode in the global war against poaching, fought daily at borders, airports and ports. The Hermann's tortoise is not just a CITES‑listed species. It is proof that even the most harmless creatures can fall victim to the demand for exotic pets. China remains one of the key transit hubs for wildlife smuggling, but customs officers who noticed the awkward gait prove that vigilance is the best weapon. And while some try to hide tortoises in their trousers, others are learning to spot them there.
As reported by CCTV+, the investigation continues, and the tortoises are in quarantine and will soon be handed over to specialists for further care.
