Chilean Customs seized a rhea egg hidden among the belongings of a foreign passenger during the control at the Quillagua checkpoint, south of Iquique, a statement said.
The rhea is a vulnerable species and the intervention of their nests is prohibited by Chilean hunting law, as well as by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The discovery was made during the usual control carried out by Customs, to prevent smuggling or crime, on an international bus that came from Cochabamba, Bolivia.
"This is an undeclared commodity, which is subject to various regulations. "such as Law 19.473, which in its fifth article indicates that it is prohibited to build nests, destroy burrows, collect eggs and young," explained the Regional Director of the Iquique Customs, Dennys Beltrand Santos.
"In addition, there is Law 20.962, which regulates the application of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), since the rhea or ostrich is internationally protected," explained the Director..
The passenger was warned and decided to live in Antofagasta. Meanwhile, the egg was taken to Iquique to be made available to the Agricultural and Livestock Service.
Facts about the rhea
The rhea is the largest bird in Chile and lives 2 meters above sea level.They lay their eggs between August and December, and the male is responsible for incubating them for 40 days.
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