Nearly 1,500 Live Turtles Found in Smugglers' Luggage

By Emily Feldman / nbcmiam

Authorities believe the protected reptiles were bound for illegal pet markets.

 Two suitcases stuffed with 1,495 live pig-nosed turtles were intercepted at an Indonesian airport Wednesday.

The reptiles were bound for Jakarta, the heart of the country's animal black market, according to TRAFFIC, a wildlife watchdog group.

"The authorities involved in intercepting this shipment are to be congratulated," Chris Shepherd, a TRAFFIC director, said in a statement. "However the fact that dealers continue to smuggle shipments of this size indicates a serious problem in Indonesia, where illegal reptile trade is rife." 

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