<h1>Passenger detained for smuggling 100 exotic animals under Wildlife Protection Act rules, animals safely returned to origin</h1> A passenger arriving from an international flight was detained at a Mumbai airport for illegally transporting approximately 100 spiders and various exotic reptiles and mammals concealed in luggage. The seized wildlife included tarantulas, iguanas, meerkats, turtles, skinks, and other lizards. Wildlife authorities, assisted by a specialized animal welfare organization, ensured the safe handling and medical care of the animals. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau ordered the deportation of the animals to their country of origin under the Wildlife Protection Act and international agreements regulating endangered species trade. This incident follows a similar case days earlier involving the smuggling of 54 exotic animals, highlighting ongoing illegal wildlife trafficking concerns at the airport.