Albino frogs seized at airport

Not all of the tadpoles survived

Three crested geckos and albino frog tadpoles have been seized at Manchester Airport after being imported illegally.

The six creatures were seized by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials at the airport on Wednesday.

They were brought into the UK from the United States by a commercial importer who did not have the right paperwork, the UKBA said.

Trade in Geckos is regulated to protect the species, while bullfrogs are banned from the EU to protect native species.

'Serious pest'

A UKBA spokeswoman said the importer did not have the required import permit under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The three geckos and three tadpoles have been taken to Blackpool Zoo for specialist care, although not all of them survived.

Linda Paul, UKBA Border Force Assistant Director Manchester Airport said: "In the absence of the correct documentation the bullfrog tadpoles were seized.

"This is to protect the natural biodiversity of UK and EU.

"This species can become a serious pest if released into the wild therefore those imported for the pet trade are tightly regulated."