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Leopard Skull Seized at Hannover Airport as Customs Also Destroy Wild Boar Trophy in Düsseldorf

The actions underscore routine enforcement of wildlife protections at German border controls.

Overview

  • Customs in Hannover found a skull in a Namibia returnee’s luggage on January 25 that was first described as a monkey’s but identified as a leopard’s without the required CITES permit.
  • The leopard case was referred to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, while numerous undocumented meat items from the same luggage were confiscated and destroyed.
  • A springbok hide in the Hannover traveler’s baggage passed inspection, and his excess cigarettes were processed with taxes after being properly declared.
  • At Düsseldorf Airport, officers stopped a traveler arriving from Kayseri after detecting a strong odor and discovered a wild boar skull with hair and flesh that was disposed of on site due to animal‑health risks.
  • The Düsseldorf traveler received a warning over the skull but paid a penalty for carrying 800 cigarettes, and officials reiterated that protected-species parts require permits and perishables without documentation are destroyed.