Tortoises found at Almeria port

The Guardia Civil have intercepted four Mora Tortoises at the port of Almeria.

Agents found them hidden inside a cardboard box in the boot of a vehicle.

The Mora Tortoise is an endangered species and is protected under the CITES convention, an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

The tortoises were found following checks on vehicles, people and luggage by agents at the docking of the ship from Ghazaouet (Algeria).

A passenger who was travelling on to France was found not to have the legal documentation to introduce the animals into Spain.

The tortoises were handed over to staff from the Provincial Delegation of Environment.