A Californian teenager has been arrested after he tried to smuggle a Bengal tiger cub across the US border from Mexico, a recent report on BBC News Network captioned.
Luis Eudoro Valencia, 18, according to the report, ‘was charged with smuggling the animal into the US after officials found it lying on the floor of his vehicle’ on his way. Precisely, Luis Eudoro Valencia was caught at the Otay Mesa border crossing in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and Agents from the US Fish & Wildlife Service have since then took custody of the animal,’ while the teenager clears himself from charges.
According to the BBC report, Lius says ‘he bought the cub …from someone who was walking an adult tiger along the streets of Tijuana in Mexico,’ for $300 (£234).
Responding to the charge case and challenges on the state of security, Pete Flores, director of field operations for Customs and Border Protection in San Diego, according to BBC said:
“CBP officers are often faced with unusual situations.
“The officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry met the challenge head on and assisted in preserving the life of this endangered species.”
It is however noted that the situation of things around the possession of wildlife has changed, noting that ‘all species of tigers are protected under the Endangered Species Act – and importing an endangered species into the United States requires a permit,’ in the case of personal possession.
The animal has been handed to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park where it is being cared for, the report informed.
Correspondent: Ridwan A Olayiwola
