Authorities in Ecuador have arrested a Russian woman accused of attempting to smuggle at least 32 marine iguanas from the Galápagos Islands out of the country in her luggage.

The bizarre discovery was made at an airport in Quito on Saturday, August 29, as the woman was reportedly preparing to travel to Iceland.

According to Ecuadorian police, officers discovered the 32 iguanas divided among eight plastic containers hidden inside a suitcase.

The animals were reportedly weak and dehydrated when authorities found them.

Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment said veterinarians transferred the iguanas to a conservation centre, where they will receive treatment and remain until their health improves.

Animals Found Nowhere Else on Earth

The case is particularly serious because Galápagos marine iguanas are endemic to Ecuador’s famous Galápagos Islands, meaning they are naturally found nowhere else in the world.

The species is considered vulnerable and is one of the most recognizable animals associated with the extraordinary biodiversity of the islands.

The Galápagos archipelago, located roughly 1,000 kilometres off Ecuador’s Pacific coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to numerous species that evolved in isolation.

Ecuador maintains strict protections around wildlife from the islands, but the rarity of Galápagos animals has also made them targets for the illegal exotic wildlife trade.

Woman Could Face Wildlife Trafficking Charges

Authorities did not publicly identify the woman arrested in the latest incident.

Police said she is expected to face wildlife trafficking charges. If convicted, she could reportedly face up to three years in prison.

The case also comes just months after another disturbing attempt to traffic Galápagos marine iguanas.

In May, Ecuadorian authorities arrested three Thai nationals after 12 marine iguanas were discovered concealed in luggage at Guayaquil’s airport. The animals reportedly had their legs bound, and one did not survive.

Conservation groups warned at the time that several incidents involving marine iguanas could point to a broader international trafficking problem involving the Galápagos.

Now, the discovery of another 32 animals inside a single suitcase is once again raising concerns about how protected wildlife is being removed from one of the most ecologically important places on Earth.

For Ecuador, protecting the Galápagos isn’t simply about tourism.

It’s about protecting species that exist nowhere else on the planet.