India arrests a traveler from Thailand who tried to smuggle a baby tiger in the suitcase
The passenger raised the suspicions of customs officials, who heard strange noises coming from his luggage
The traveler raised the suspicions of customs officials when they heard strange noises coming from his bag, and they opened it to find a small tiger weighing no more than one kilogram, which was hidden in a plastic shopping basket.
The man had arrived at India's Chennai airport, on Saturday, on a flight from Bangkok.
Airport officials told AFP that authorities were investigating whether the suspect was a member of an international animal smuggling ring.
The name of the accused, 45, was not released, and reports said he was "confused in his responses and tried to hide something" when questioned by customs officials.
Airport officials said the animal was in shock and was making faint noises and appeared weak.
Video footage showed airport officials feeding the baby tiger milk in a bottle.
After an assessment by vets, the mazar (baby tiger) was taken to Arignar Anna Zoo in Chennai, where it will be looked after.