Live tarantulas found at Edmonton International Airport
Posted August 14, 2023 10:36 am.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has had a pair of unusual encounters at the Edmonton International Airport in 2023.
According to the CBSA, in two separate shipments, officers have found live tarantulas hidden within a plastic container and a children’s toy.
The first incident happened on May 12, when border officers saw irregularities in a small package from Hong Kong. Upon inspecting the package, officers found a male tarantula hidden inside a plastic container.
Tarantula found at Edmonton International Airport. (Photo Courtesy: Canada Border Services Agency)
On June 1, CBSA officers intercepted and inspected another package which was from the same shipper. Upon inspecting the package — a children’s toy plane — officers found a female tarantula.
Tarantula found at Edmonton International Airport. (Photo Courtesy: Canada Border Services Agency)
According to the CBSA, officers contacted Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) enforcement officials to determine if the spiders were listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Through an inspection of the spiders, it was determined that both are native to Hong Kong, therefore are not CITES listed.
Tarantula found at Edmonton International Airport. (Photo Courtesy: Canada Border Services Agency)
“Considering this, this species did not require permits to import into Canada or export from Hong Kong,” said CBSA in a statement.
Both tarantulas now have a new home at the Royal Alberta Museum.
