Illegal trafficking of live tortoises, snakes and lizards is on the rise according to an article in the Guardian: “After finding it difficult to deal with elephant tusks, leopard skins and rhino horns, poachers have now shifted their attention to smaller animals that can be moved in briefcases or sent as mail,” said Theotimos Rwegasira, a senior conservation official. “Last year 300 live tortoises from Tanzania were seized in Hong Kong.” They had been sent via the Post Office’s ordinary mail, something said to have been going on for years.

Mr Rwegasira said that apart from live tortoises and turtles, other creatures targeted by poachers were frogs and their eggs, snakes and lizards. He said there were also insects that were in demand abroad.