Authorities in Ecuador have arrested a Russian woman accused of attempting to smuggle at least 32 marine iguanas from the Galapagos Islands out of the country. The iguanas were discovered Saturday inside a suitcase at Quito's airport, where the woman was preparing to travel to Iceland.
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment reported that the iguanas were found to be feeble and dehydrated. A team of veterinarians has since transferred them to a conservation center for care until their health improves.
The Russian woman, whose identity has not been released, faces potential charges of wildlife trafficking. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
Marine iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands and are considered a vulnerable species. The Galapagos archipelago, located approximately 620 miles west of Ecuador, was designated a UNESCO National Heritage of Humanity in 1979 due to its significant biodiversity.