Manchester Airport border staff seize illegal coral

27/01/2010

By James Wilson.

Over a tonne of coral has been confiscated by customs officers at Manchester Airport, it has been reported.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) notes that it seized a large quantity of live rock after finding it in a freight consignment from Indonesia that had been incorrectly described, according to BBC News.

The coral, which is protected as an endangered species, was quickly transported to the nearby Blue Planet aquarium in Ellesmere Port and is expected to go on display there soon.

Colin Brown, the agency's assistant director of border force at Manchester Airport, told the news source: "The illicit trade in endangered animals is a serious contributory factor to the threat of extinction faced by many endangered species."

"Companies need to make sure they have the right paperwork before they import exotic animals into the UK," he added.

The UKBA commented that it will investigate the case further.

The agency was granted full executive agency status in April 2009 and employs some 25,000 staff across the UK.

This article was brought to you by Park and Go providers of Heathrow Airport Parking