Thursday, September 9th, 2010

While most frequent fliers concentrate their efforts on finding cheap airplane tickets or discount travel packages, wildlife smugglers are attempting to sneak animals onto planes.

The most recent example of which is Anson Wong, referred to as the “Lizard King” who tried to smuggle 97 snakes, 95 of which were boa constrictors as well as two rhinoceros vipers, through Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur airport security. Wong was trying to fly the snakes to Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, where they could have been sold at a substantial profit.

His plan fell apart when his bulging carry-on bag broke open while on a conveyor belt and airline staff found snakes and a turtle in his bag.

Wong faces a fine of up to $32,000 per animal he attempted to smuggle out as well as up to seven years in jail. He was charged in court last week under laws prohibiting the export of animals without a permit. Wong has pleaded guilty to the charge and is out on bail.

Wong is a Malaysian citizen and has served jail time in the past for wildlife trafficking in the United States. In 2001 he was sentenced to 71 months in jail in the United States after pleading guilty to wildlife trafficking charges.

Animal smuggling persists in Southeast Asia despite efforts by government officials to prevent it, posing a threat to several species according to experts.
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