Russian customs officials have foiled an attempt to smuggle 476 rare Central Asian tortoises through Moscow's Domodedovo airport.
Worth over 3 million rubles, the tortoises were illegally brought from Tajikistan. A Russian citizen was detained.
The tortoises were intended for sale via online stores. The individual had no permits.
The animals were handed over to the Moscow Zoo. Central Asian tortoises are protected under the CITES convention.
