A thousand tarantulas tried to get to Germany in cake boxes (2 photos + 1 video)

In Germany, customs officers found about 1,500 poisonous tarantulas hidden in boxes that were supposed to contain chocolate cake.





Representatives of Cologne Bonn Airport noticed a "noticeable odor" that did not match the declared contents. It was noticeable from one of the packages when it was opened.

Cologne Customs Office spokeswoman Maja Ley noted that most of the smuggled tarantulas were alive when they were found. Those that survived were handed over to professionals.

"The most shocking thing is that people are trying to make a profit at the expense of animal welfare. It's a shame that so many animals didn't survive," Ley said.

At the same time, she couldn't say how many tarantulas had died.

According to her, the person who sent the parcel was found about three weeks ago and has now been served with a notice of suspicion.



"The fact that some of the arachnids died violates German animal welfare regulations," the customs office said in a press release.

In addition, criminal proceedings are also being conducted against the recipient of the parcel in Sauerland.

"My colleagues at the airport are regularly surprised by the contents of prohibited parcels from all over the world, but the discovery of around 1,500 small plastic containers with young tarantulas in this parcel left even the most experienced of them speechless. This is an extraordinary seizure for German customs," said Jens Aland, another representative of the main customs office in Cologne.