12/01/2012

Cheetah Seized At Heathrow Airport

A cheetah has been seized at London’s Heathrow Airport by officials who were suspicious about the animal’s missing microchip.

The African cheetah called Isaac was on his way from a South African safari park to Russia when he was stopped.

He is being kept in the UK until it is known why his microchip was missing, the UK Border Agency said.

The agency said all endangered animals had to be clearly identifiable by a unique marking to be allowed to travel.

It is understood that such markings are used to tackle the trade in illegal animals and stop smugglers cheating the system.

(LB)

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