Two passengers have been arrested after they were caught trying to smuggle baby monkeys out of Colombia in their underwear.
The unnamed couple were intercepted by police while passing through security at Jose Maria Cordova Airport in Rionegro on Saturday.
Officers were shocked to discover six sedated monkeys – two white-faced apes and four cotton-top tamarins – hidden in cloth bags that were concealed between the pair’s legs.
Two of the tiny animals were found dead, while the rest were discovered in critical condition, having suffered from severe dehydration, malnutrition and abuse.
Video footage shared by Colombian police shows four baby apes lying helplessly in a cardboard box after they were rescued from the couple’s possession.
The duo were planning to smuggle the primates – who are believed to be no older than two months old – out of the country, Colombian newspaper El Tiempo reported.
The animals are critically endangered species.
According to a report issued by local environmental agency Cornare, the monkeys ‘showed lesions and a marked level of stress’.
A couple have been arrested after they were caught trying to smuggle baby monkeys out of Colombia in their underwear
The discovery was made at the Jose Maria Cordova Airport in Rionegro on Saturday
Cornare director, Javier Valencia Gonzalez, said: ‘We emphatically reject this type of wildlife trafficking. Wildlife must remain free. We cannot continue to allow this illegal activity to continue to grow in our country and around the world.’
It is understood that the couple are not from Colombia, although their nationality has not been disclosed.
They have been charged with animal abuse and exploiting natural resources.
This is not the first instance in which police have caught smugglers trying to sneak apes through airports.
Last year, a baby gorilla was rescued after it was discovered inside a small wooden crate at Istanbul Airport in Turkey.
The animal was part of a cargo shipment that was being transported from Nigeria to Bangkok in Thailand.
Customs enforcement teams from the Ministry of Trade inspected the cargo and identified the baby Western lowland gorilla – an endangered species which should be protected.
They had flagged the cargo as part of their efforts to protect wildlife and natural habitat.
Two of the rescued monkeys are said to have died
The monkeys were found suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration
The couple has been charged with animal abuse
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) identifies the species as facing the highest risk of extinction, making its international trade illegal except in rare cases.
After the rescue, officials transferred the baby gorilla to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s care units.
A Ministry spokesperson said: ‘The little one is doing well. It was confiscated during customs checks while being illegally transported without proper documentation.
The General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks personnel are providing rehabilitation and necessary care.’
‘The gorilla remains under close observation to ensure its recovery,’ they added.
‘Rehabilitation experts are working diligently to help the gorilla regain strength and health. Their care aims to provide a safe environment for the animal’s well-being.’
