Sedated canaries found in passenger's luggage

A Libyan was arrested at the airport yesterday while trying to leave the country with 200 sedated canaries hidden in his luggage.

Another Libyan abandoned his luggage and managed to run out of the airport. The two men were leaving the island together.

The bulk of the canaries died but about 50 were saved and are now being kept at the Għammieri government farm.

The discovery was made after personnel became suspicious during check-in before a flight to Tripoli. Officers from the Animal Welfare Department were immediately called to the scene.

A similar discovery was made last week when canaries were found hidden in a Libyan man's jacket and in his bag as he tried to smuggle them out of the country.

Department director Mario Spiteri said the Libyan would be accused of animal cruelty.

It was clear, Dr Spiteri said, that there was a racket of bird exports, with canaries fetching a good price in Libya. Canaries were not protected birds, and they could be legally bought in Malta and exported but procedures had to be followed to ensure the birds' proper care.

Libyan men were ordering and buying canaries in bulk from pet shops here and then trying to export them. There was no regard to the welfare of the birds, which were often hidden in luggage, jackets, pockets and socks, he said, adding that many of them died.