Illegal Souvenir: Two Alligator Heads Seized at Tahiti Airport

Customs officers at Tahiti-Faa'a Airport in French Polynesia discovered two preserved heads of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in an unclaimed suitcase. The discovery was made on Tuesday, August 18, when officers inspected the bag, which contained the naturalized heads packed in a plastic box with bubble wrap.

The owner of the luggage, who was traveling from Los Angeles, stated that she was unaware of the regulations concerning the transport of protected species. She claimed the items were a "souvenir" gift from an acquaintance. However, this explanation did not satisfy the customs officials.

Transporting such items across borders requires a legal permit, specifically a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) permit. The American alligator is listed under CITES protection, making its unauthorized international transport illegal. The owner was subsequently issued a fine.

The American alligator, native to the southeastern United States, is protected under various laws, including the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973. Despite past concerns, effective conservation programs have led to the species being classified as "least concern," with an estimated population exceeding one million individuals.

Customs agents used the incident as an opportunity to remind travelers of the strict regulations regarding the import of certain goods into French Polynesia. Their website explicitly states that the importation of specific items requires special authorization from competent services, including certain wild fauna and flora species protected by the Washington Convention.

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