44,000 batches of smuggled wildlife seized

The country's quarantine authority intercepted more than 44,000 batches of wild species concealed in suitcases and mail packages in August, a spokeswoman said on Monday.

The seizures included more than 100 green lizards found in a suitcase belonging to a passenger from Hong Kong, and spiders, hognose snakes and sea cucumbers in mail packages, said Li Jing, spokeswoman for the General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The Zhejiang Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau intercepted four poison dart frogs, an endangered species from South America, Li said.