Galapagos police find 185 endangered tortoises in a suitcase

Airport security on the Galapagos Islands found 185 tortoises in a suitcase being trafficked to Ecuador's mainland.

The tortoises were found during a routine check the Environment Ministry said, adding that police were investigating.

Trafficking animals off the famed Galapagos Islands is a crime punishable by up to three years in prison.

The islands have long been a protected wildlife area off the coast of Ecuador.

Environment Minister Marcelo Mata Guerrero condemned "these crimes against Ecuadorans' wild fauna and natural heritage".

The Galapagos Islands' star attraction are its giant tortoises, whose ancestors arrived on the volcanic islands between three to four million years ago.

It is believed ocean currents took them to the islands after which they developed into 15 separate species, three of which are extinct.

The archipelago was made famous by British geologist and naturalist Charles Darwin who developed his theory of natural selection after visiting the islands.

Giant tortoises on the Galapagos – in pictures

Park rangers taking the temperature of a San Cristobal island giant tortoise before been released, in Galapagos, Ecuador on September 28. Handout picture by Galapagos National Park / AFP

A group of park rangers release a San Cristobal island giant tortoise, in Galapagos, Ecuador on September 28, 2020. A group of 36 giant tortoises of an endangered species and born in captivity was repatriated to their habitat on San Cristobal Island, one of the main islands of the Ecuadorian archipelago of Galapagos. Handout picture by Galapagos National Park / AFP

A San Cristobal island giant tortoise before been released, in Galapagos, Ecuador on September 28. Handout picture by Galapagos National Park / AFP

San Cristobal island giant tortoises before been released, in Galapagos, Ecuador on September 28. Handout picture by Galapagos National Park / AFP

A hammerhead shark swims at Galapagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador, on August 19, 2013. Jorge Silva/ Reuters

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

Ticket prices

General admission Dh295 (under-three free)

Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free

Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets

Tamkeen's offering

Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
Option 2: 50% across three years
Option 3: 30% across five years

Porsche Taycan Turbo specs

Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

Transmission: two-speed

Power: 671hp

Torque: 1050Nm

Range: 450km

Price: Dh601,800

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THE SPECS

Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury

Engine: 3.6L V-6

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 310hp

Torque: 367Nm

Price: Dh280,000

On Women's Day

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If you go

Flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.

The stay

Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.

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