Live vultures and endangered bird eggs found in man's bag at Heathrow

Two chicks had hatched during flight from South Africa, say officers who arrested suspect

Saturday 30 June 2018 16:23 BST

One of the baby vultures seized at Heathrow (PA)

National Crime Agency bosses are investigating after two vulture chicks and 17 eggs of other rare and endangered bird species were seized at Heathrow from a man trying to smuggle them in from South Africa.

The 56-year-old Irishman was arrested after 19 eggs – two of which had hatched during the journey – were found hidden in his body belt.

The eggs were from South African birds of prey, including vultures, eagles, hawks and kites.

Border Force specialist officers recognised them as from a species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).

Staff at Heathrow’s Animal Reception Centre cared for the chicks and ensured the unhatched eggs were incubated, before moving them to a specialist facility, according to the National Wildlife Crime Unit.

The man was arrested on suspicion of importation of a banned item, and bailed pending further inquiries.

Grant Miller, head of the national Border Force Cites team at Heathrow, said: “My officers are experts in their field and will seize anything that contravenes Cites regulations. In this case, by preventing the smuggling attempt they have also ensured that the birds and eggs received the immediate care and attention that they needed.”

Cites, which is an international agreement covering more than 35,000 species of animals and plants, controls the importation of endangered species.

The global black market for exotic wildlife to be kept as pets is a multibillion pound business that has badly hit population numbers.

It is one of the largest sources of criminal earnings, behind only arms smuggling and drug trafficking. National Geographic says: “Wildlife trafficking may very well be the world's most profitable form of illegal trade, bar none.”

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

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1/8Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

Winner – Pikin and Appolinaire

Pikin, a lowland gorilla, had been captured and was going to be sold for bushmeat but was rescued by Ape Action Africa. Jo-Anne took this photograph as the gorilla was being moved from her former enclosure within a safe forest sanctuary in Cameroon to a new and larger one, along with a group of gorilla companions. She was first sedated, but during the transfer to the new enclosure she awoke. Luckily, she was not only very drowsy, but she was also in the arms of her caretaker, Appolinaire Ndohoudou, and so she remained calm for the duration of the bumpy drive

Jo-Anne McArthur

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

Finalist – Elegant Mother and Calf

Every year from July to late October southern humpback whales migrate north from their Antarctic feeding grounds to give birth in the warm sheltered waters off Tonga. Ray encountered this humpback mother and calf peacefully floating in the plankton-filled water around the island group of Vava’u, Tonga. After Ray gently approached them, the giants swam a bit closer to have a look at him. While they made this elegant turn, Ray took the shot. He later converted the image into black and white which he felt represented the simplicity of the scene

Ray Chin/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

Finalist – Warm Embrace

When polar bear mothers and cubs emerge from their dens in the early spring, the cubs stay close to their mothers for warmth and protection. Once the cubs are strong and confident enough, they make the trek to the sea ice with their mother so that she can resume hunting for seals. Debra waited six days near the den of this family, in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada, before they finally emerged. In the most challenging conditions she has ever faced, temperatures ranged from -35C to -55C with high winds, making it almost impossible to avoid frostbite and keep her camera gear functioning properly

Debra Garside/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

Finalist – Roller Rider

Lakshitha was on safari in MaasaiMara National Reserve, Kenya, when he spotted an unusual sight – a lilac-breasted roller riding a zebra. Normally they prefer to perch high up in the foliage, but his roller spent an hour or more riding around and enjoying the occasional insect meal. Lakshitha waited for the surrounding zebras to form the perfect background before taking this tight crop

Lakshitha Karunarathna/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

Finalist – Sloth Hanging Out

Luciano had to climb the cecropia tree, in the protected Atlantic rainforest of southern Bahia, Brazil, to take an eye-level shot of this three-toed sloth. Sloths like to feed on the leaves of these trees,and so they are often seen high up in the canopy.

Luciano Candisani/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

Shortlisted – Reach for the Sky

Steven was taking pictures of a small group of adult roseate spoonbills in a rookery in Tampa Bay, Florida, when he noticed a newcomer flying in from afar. With just enough time to back up a few steps, Steven photographed the bird landing exactly square to his camera with its wings in a stunning symmetrical U-shape

Steve Blandin/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

Shortlisted – Holding On

This close-up captures the touching moment an infant lays its small hand in the big hand of its mother. Jami took this photograph while she was in Borneo working on a story about the effects of palm-oil agriculture on orangutan habitat. Loss of primary rainforest is a serious threat to this already critically endangered species

Jami Tarris/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice award

Shortlisted – Blood Ivory

In a protected area of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a ranger’s bloody hand rests on a heavily grained ivory tusk, also covered in the blood of an African elephant. The bull had to be destroyed due to a severe tusk infection that couldn’t be treated.The tusks were removed to a place of safekeeping, where they were carefully catalogued in accordance with legislation

Peter Chadwick/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Animal welfare charities warn that being smuggled often leads to pain and a slow death for the creatures.

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