Endangered iguanas found in passenger's suitcase at Heathrow

THIRTEEN iguanas hidden in socks have been seized at Heathrow.

The "incredibly rare" lizards were discovered inside a suitcase at Terminal Five on Monday, February 3.

One of the San Salvador rock iguanas, an endangered species, died in transit. They had all been stuffed into socks.

Border Agency officers stopped two Romanian women, aged 24 and 26, who had come from the Bahamas. They were due to fly on to Dusseldorf, Germany.

The pair were arrested on suspicion of importation offences.

Grant Miller, from the Border Force's endangered species team, said: "This particular species of iguana is incredibly rare - only a few hundred are believed to be left in existence - so this was a remarkable and very important seizure.

"Given the circumstances we found them in it seems incredible that all but one survived such a long flight."

We are working with experts to find the best way to protect and safeguard these endangered creatures longer term."

He added that the animals were dehydrated, and are now being looked after by a specialist vet.