German Customs Seize 1,500 Tarantulas Hidden in Cake Boxes

German customs officials at Cologne Bonn airport intercepted a shipment from Vietnam containing approximately 1,500 young tarantulas hidden in plastic containers inside chocolate sponge cake boxes. The package was flagged due to a strong odor inconsistent with the expected scent of the confectionery, leading to the discovery of the live animals, many of which did not survive the journey, indicating violations of animal welfare laws. The tarantulas were handed over to specialists for care, and criminal proceedings have been initiated against the recipient in the Sauerland region for customs violations and failure to pay proper import duties. Cologne customs spokesman Jens Ahland described the seizure as extraordinary and expressed concern over the exploitation of animals solely for profit. The estimated value of the shipment is still being assessed, and the case highlights ongoing issues with illegal wildlife trafficking into Europe. This incident underscores the challenges customs face in detecting illicit animal smuggling and enforcing animal protection regulations.