Mumbai, June 26 (PTI) A total of 120 live exotic wild animals, including iguanas and Sumatran striped rabbits, were seized at Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport here, an official said on Thursday.

Customs officials made the recovery on Wednesday night from the luggage of two Mumbai residents who arrived in the city from Bangkok, he said. The duo was subsequently arrested.

Also Read | What Are the New Metro Compensation Rules in India? Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Enhances Payouts for Death and Severe Injuries; Check Details.

The official said that 120 live animals, including brown basilisk lizards, iguanas, Sumatra striped rabbits and cuscus, were found stuffed into small plastic and jute boxes.

Also Read | Udhampur Encounter: 1 Terrorist Killed in Gunfight With Security Forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, the Customs and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau are sending back the animals to the country from which they were illegally trafficked, the official said.

Experts from RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare) assisted in rescuing and stabilising the animals, he added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)