clipped from: www.irishtimes.com The head of a brown bear and a spitting cobra in a bottle are among some of the more unusual items seized in the last year at Irish airports, it was revealed today.
Over the past few months officials have found a bobcat’s head, a crocodile-skin handbag, ivory and coral jewellery and the skin of a caracal or African lynx among holiday-makers’ souvenirs.
“So what we are trying to do is highlight that they should be aware when they go on holidays, especially with more people going to more exotic places.”
Customs officials seize any goods suspected of contravening the international convention and pass to experts, often in Dublin Zoo, to see if they match any endangered species.
Revenue said it wanted to warn people they could be breaking the law if they bring in souvenirs made of rare plant or animal products - alive or dead - without the correct permits.
Prosecutions can be recommended if it is suspected a person was knowingly importing the banned goods.