Man Attempts to Smuggle Over 2,000 Endangered Pig-Nosed Turtles

An Indonesian man was caught trying to smuggle over 2,000 endangered pig-nosed turtles. Papua police spokesman Ahmad Musthofa Kamal said they seized 2,227 palm-sized turtles which were stuffed into boxes on a boat docked in the town of Agats. The pig-nosed turtle is found in Australia and New Guinea only and is protected under Indonesia's conservation laws. Kamal said the officials came across a suspicious looking port worker carrying three big boxes.

The police have also arrested another man who is believed to be involved in the trafficking attempt. If convicted, Kamal says the man could be imprisoned for five years and slapped with a fine of $7,000.

As of late, Indonesia has been hit by wildlife trafficking. Earlier this year, officials in Malaysia arrested smugglers trying to get away with 3,000 endangered turtles.