Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Eight native bird chicks hatch from eggs seized in Paraná
Brazilian authorities seized 32 native bird eggs on a bus in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná.
The eggs were found in a portable incubator inside a suitcase and hidden in a passenger’s jacket during a routine check on a bus bound for Rio de Janeiro.
Eight eggs have hatched while under the care of Ibama, Brazil’s environmental agency: seven chicks belong to the family that includes toucans, and one to the family that includes parrots and macaws.
The two passengers, a Chinese couple, said they had collected the eggs in Foz do Iguaçu and would be paid 3,000 reais to take them to Rio’s Galeão airport.
Authorities suspect an attempt to incubate the eggs illegally because some were carried in equipment designed to control temperature and airflow, though it was switched off when inspectors found it.
An estimate cited by the Federal Revenue Service puts the value of each egg at about 50,000 euros on the European market.
The passengers were not arrested, but the agency plans to refer the case to federal prosecutors for possible criminal proceedings.
Eight native bird chicks have hatched from 32 eggs seized in Paraná.
Brazil’s Federal Revenue said the eggs began hatching on Monday, October 26, while under the care of Ibama.
The eggs were seized on Saturday, October 24, during an inspection of an inter-state bus in Foz do Iguaçu.
Seven chicks are from the family that includes toucans, and one is from the family that includes parrots and macaws.
A Chinese couple said they had collected the eggs in Foz do Iguaçu and were to be paid R$3,000 to transport them to Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão airport.
- Who
- Brazil’s Federal Revenue seized the eggs; Ibama cared for them. A Chinese couple was carrying them.
- What
- Eight chicks hatched from 32 seized native bird eggs.
- When
- The eggs were seized on October 24, and eight had hatched by October 26.
- Where
- The seizure took place on a bus in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná.
- Why
- The couple said they were transporting the eggs to Galeão airport for R$3,000. Authorities said the circumstances indicated an attempt at clandestine incubation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Federal Revenue officers seized 32 native bird eggs during an inspection of an inter-state bus in Foz do Iguaçu.
Federal Revenue said eight of the eggs had hatched while in Ibama’s care.
- Eggs seized
- 32
- Chicks hatched
- 8
- Seizure location
- Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná
- Bird families
- 7 ranfastid chicks; 1 psittacid chick
- Transport payment
- R$3,000