Don’t Travel into Croatia in Your Python Skin Boots
- by croatiaweek
- in Latest
Croatia announced on Wednesday that it will now enforce tighter controls concerning the entry of exotic animals and plants crossing its borders.
Croatia’s Enviroment Minister Mihael Zmajlović was at Zagreb International Airport yesterday where the first Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) display was set up on Wednesday.The objective of the CITES display is to educate travelers about endangered status of many prominent species, such as the tiger and elephants. It also makes passengers aware of some of the penalties in place in Croatia for carrying items on the list, which include products made from python skin and hair extensions made from apes hair. Fines range from up to 4,000 EUR for individuals and 30,000 EUR for companies.
The Minister pointed out that the illegal trade in protected species in the world is estimated at 10 billion dollars a year, and is ranked fourth in value behind the drug trade, trafficking and weapons.
