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Biologist arrested for smuggling
16/02/2001 10:15 - (SA)
Rio de Janeiro - An Austrian biologist has been arrested here on charges of attempting to smuggle rare birds and animals out of Brazil, police announced on Thursday.
Johann Zillinger, 39, was arrested in his hotel room here, where federal agents found him sitting on five parrot eggs, hoping they would hatch.
Snakes and parrots purchased in the city of Belem, in the Amazonian state of Para, were also found in his room, police said.
If found guilty, Zillinger could face between six months and one year in prison.
Police say the Austrian biologist has been a frequent visitor to Brazil over the past 10 years.
According to the newspaper O Globo, during one of his previous trips, Zillinger had spent 28 days sitting on eggs purchased on the black market, which he had thought were those of a rare parrot.
The biologist was surprised when the newly hatched birds turned out to be simple pigeons, the paper reported. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA
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