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A red panda: The small animal is considered critically endangered
Photo: AFP
Snakes, parrots and a rare panda: Thai customs have arrested six people trying to smuggle several animals out of the country.
The total of 87 creatures were discovered in the luggage of a suspect at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, from where the smugglers wanted to fly to Mumbai, India.
In addition to the highly endangered red panda, the animals included 29 black-throated monitors, 15 birds and 21 snakes.
According to the Bangkok Post, all animals were on the protection list of the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Endangered Species (Cites).
In a photo released by customs, a parrot can be seen in a plastic box in which a few air holes had been drilled.
In another photo, a red panda looks out of a basket.
Snakes are said to have been hidden in clothing bags in luggage.
Thailand is an important transit point for wildlife smuggling.
The creatures are often sold to China or Vietnam, and smuggling to India has also increased in recent years.
The six suspects now face up to ten years in prison or a heavy fine.
spr/AFP