Italian authorities intercept a Malta-bound consignment of 377 exotic animals during an inspection at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo. A Maltese man is reportedly under investigation after being found with 300 tortoises and 77 parrots packed inside a car near the boarding area for a catamaran traveling to Malta.
Italian financial police say subsequent checks by veterinarians confirm that protected wildlife is involved. Officers report that 76 of the parrots belong to species covered by the Washington Convention (CITES), which regulates international trade in endangered plants and animals. The seizure is described as one of the most significant CITES-related seizures. Following the discovery, the animals are placed under custody and entrusted to a breeding facility, while the man faces animal-related charges.
Across the outlets, the core facts are consistent: the location is Pozzallo in Sicily, the destination is Malta, the animals are 300 tortoises and 77 parrots, and the action is taken by Italian authorities during checks near the port boarding point. Differences mainly relate to the emphasis placed on the legal and CITES details, with some reporting additional context on the convention and the scale of the seizure.
