epa08966700 An undated handout photo made available by the Austrian Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium fuer Finanzen, BMF) shows some of the 74 endangered chameleons found in a suitcase at Vienna Airport by Customs officers, Austria (issued 26 January 2021). According to a statement relseased by the BMF, Customs officers and investigators at Vienna Airport intercepted on 20 January 2021, a 56-year-old man who had flown from Tanzania to Vienna via the Ethiopian city of Addis Ababa. During a search authorities discovered that the man's suitcase contained 74 endangered chameleons hidden in places such as socks and plastic boxes. Of the 74 creatures two perished during their journey to Vienna. The surviving chameleons have been taken, examined and looked after at Schoenbrunn Zoo. Investigations believe the animals had been intended for the Czech market at a black market value of around 37,000 euro. The perpetrator faces administrative penalty proceedings with an anticipated fine of 6,000 euro, BMF added. EPA/BMF/Zoll HANDOUT -- MANDATORY CREDIT -- HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
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