Russian Woman Tourist Caught Trying To Smuggle 32 Galapagos Iguanas To Iceland

This is the moment customs officers handle 32 protected Galapagos marine iguanas allegedly found hidden in a Russian tourist's luggage as she tried to fly them to Iceland.

The reptiles were discovered at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, in Ecuador's Pichincha province, on the night of 28 August.

Video shows black and pale-coloured iguanas inside plastic containers as officers inspect and handle the animals.

Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Energy said the 32 marine iguanas were found weak and dehydrated after being packed into eight containers, with four animals in each.

A Russian woman was detained after allegedly attempting to leave Ecuador with the reptiles concealed in her luggage.

Officials confirmed the animals' intended destination was Iceland.

Authorities initially reported that 28 juvenile marine iguanas had been discovered, but the figure was later corrected to 32.

The animals were taken to an authorised conservation centre in Pichincha province, where they are receiving veterinary care while their condition is stabilised.

Officials are now awaiting permission from prosecutors for the iguanas to be safely returned to the Galapagos Islands, around 1,000 kilometres off Ecuador's Pacific coast.

The Environment Ministry said preliminary information showed the Russian tourist had no record of entering the Galapagos archipelago.

Prosecutors are investigating suspected wildlife trafficking and how the protected animals were removed from their natural habitat.

Marine iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands and are part of Ecuador's protected wildlife.

The Galapagos archipelago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 and famously helped inspire British naturalist Charles Darwin's work on evolution and natural selection.

(Newsflash)