Dozens of rare parrot chicks have hatched in South Africa after officials saved 50 eggs from a suspected smuggler at Johannesburg's main airport.
Police arrested a 50-year-old Thai man at OR Tambo International Airport last Thursday. He was attempting to transport the eggs inside a homemade incubator bag carried in his hand luggage.
Wildlife experts quickly transferred the rescued eggs to the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria. Thanks to continuous care from zoo staff, several chicks have already hatched safely and are receiving intensive medical support to help them survive.
Environmental officials stated that the eggs belong to rare parrot species protected under international wildlife protection laws. In South Africa, illegal wildlife trade is a serious offense. If convicted, the suspect faces up to ten years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million rand ($626,000).
This incident marks the second major arrest at the airport in recent weeks. In July, authorities stopped another traveler attempting to smuggle 418 parrot eggs. Government leaders warned that illegal egg collection threatens wild bird populations and promised to strengthen joint law enforcement efforts against wildlife trafficking networks.