These days, you can hardly bring anything on an airplane. What with the liquid rules and the sharp object rules and the firearm rules, it's only you and your non-lethal possessions that make the cut. And now, you can add rare birds to the no-fly list, too.
In case you ever get the urge to strap a few endangered species to your calves, pull down your pant legs and catch a flight to Taipei, don't. One man learned this the hard way on Tuesday, after customs officials at Tan Son Nhat International Airport caught him with 18 live birds hidden in his trousers, reports Thanh Nien.
Experts from the Institute of Tropical Biology confirmed that 11 of the feathered captives were protected species such as the white-rumped shamas, oriental shamas and melodious laughingthrush. The gentleman with the birds in his pants had also stashed a few more creatures in strategic pouches located throughout his checked baggage in hopes of smuggling them to Taipei.
Looks like the pets will just have to stay at home from now on.
[Photo via Thanh Nien]
