Reptiles in Uganda are being smuggled to Europe

By Godfrey Olukya 16-11-2012

Uganda wild life authority, with the help of the police have started hunting for people who capture snakes and chameleons and smuggle them out of the country.

This is happening at a time when poaching of elephants for their tusks is also on rise in the country

42 poisonous snakes have been impounded at the only country’s international airport of Entebbe while on transit to Europe.

They were reportedly packed in two bags ,placed in a big wooden box which had holes at the sides probably meant for respiration.

Uganda wildlife spokesperson, Lillian Nsubuga said,’ It is rare to come across such a big consignment of reptiles. We have started carrying out investigations so that we get those involved. We have not yet arrested anyone.’

She said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the snakes and chameleons were destined for Prague in Czech republic in eastern Europe.

Although Uganda wild life authority is supposed to clear all animals and reptiles being taken out of the country, she said that the ones impounded had not been cleared.

She said, ‘We had not cleared shipment of those reptiles. Wildlife trade is regulated under the convention on the international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna.’

She thanked workers at Entebbe airport who tipped them about the container with the reptiles.

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