Updated 15 July 2004, 16.38

Unpacking and checking the tortoises

Every crate that comes in to Heathrow has to be checked.

The security men have to make sure all the shipments contain the animals that the paperwork says are there.

Smugglers often illegally slip rare animals in amongst lots of others that are legally allowed to be traded.

Any rare animal found is then seized. They are sent to special centres like Living Rainforest where they can be cared for.

A scorpion being carefully checked out

He explains: "If you introduce these guys back into the wild they've got to go through exactly the same trip they've just been through to get into this country and the amount of stress they go through is a lot."

Centres like the Living Rainforest try and raise awareness that some animals shouldn't be kept as pets.

Mike Bungard hopes to help stop the trade in rare reptiles and insects.

He explains: "If we educate people about why you don't want to keep them as pets then hopefully we'll stop people wanting to keep them then the illegal trade in them will slow down."

But for now it's business as usual for the men at Heathrow - and back to the crates.

More Info

Q&A on exotic pets

Endangered Animals Guide

Talk animals on the message board

Should there be stricter controls on exotic pets?

Past Stories
	Frog smuggler fined in Australia
	Tricks used by animal smugglers revealed
	Exotic pet owners need more help