Customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) intercepted a shocking case of wildlife smuggling on Sunday night, rescuing six endangered monkeys hidden inside a suitcase aboard a flight from Malaysia.

Endangered Monkeys Rescued at KIA

According to customs sources, the smuggled primates included four Siamang Gibbon monkeys and two North Pigtailed Macaques. The illicit transportation was orchestrated by a single passenger who arrived in Bengaluru via Malaysian Airlines flight MH 192 from Kuala Lumpur at 11:30 PM.

Monkeys Stuffed in a Suitcase

A senior customs official revealed that the suspect, a Tamil Nadu native, was identified based on profiling. Upon investigation, officers discovered the six monkeys cramped inside a single trolley suitcase, suffocating among chocolates and clothes.

Read More: India Slaps Samsung with $601 Million Tax Demand Over Alleged Tariff Evasion

Immediate Action and Repatriation

The rescued primates were safely flown back to Malaysia on Monday. Officials noted a rising trend in exotic animal smuggling into Bengaluru, prompting increased vigilance at the airport.

Rising Demand for Exotic Pets

Wildlife experts highlight that Siamang Gibbons, native to Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, are highly sought after in the illegal pet trade. Meanwhile, Pigtailed Macaques, found across Southeast Asia, are frequently used in biomedical research due to their reproductive similarities to humans.

Strict Measures Against Wildlife Smuggling

Authorities are reinforcing security measures at KIA to curb the smuggling of exotic species. Wildlife trafficking not only violates conservation laws but also poses serious risks to biodiversity and public health.