1,500 duct-taped turtles saved from abandoned suitcases at airport

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Photo credit (Bureau of Customs NAIA).

More than 1,500 turtles were saved from abandoned luggage at an airport in the Philippines.

The animals were duct taped and placed in four pieces of luggage that came from Hong Kong.

A total of 1529 turtles were seized, including the endangered species like the Indian star tortoise, red-footed tortoise, sulcata tortoise and red-eared slider turtles, the bureau said in a statement on Facebook.

The reptiles, which were likely to be sold on the exotic pet black market, were valued at roughly $87,000.

Three of the species found are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

According to Philippine law, Illegal wildlife trading is punishable for up to two years in prison and a nearly $4,000 fine. 

Photo credit (Bureau of Customs NAIA).

1,500 duct-taped turtles saved from abandoned suitcases at airport 1

Photo credit (Bureau of Customs NAIA).

1,500 duct-taped turtles saved from abandoned suitcases at airport 2

Photo credit (Bureau of Customs NAIA).

1,500 duct-taped turtles saved from abandoned suitcases at airport 3

Photo credit (Bureau of Customs NAIA).

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Photo credit (Bureau of Customs NAIA).(Bureau of Customs NAIA).

1,500 duct-taped turtles saved from abandoned suitcases at airport 6

Photo credit (Bureau of Customs NAIA).

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