Chinese customs officers intercepted 64 live Hermann's tortoises strapped to a traveler's legs at Liantang Port in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
Officers grew suspicious when a male traveler's unusually stiff gait caught their attention during routine inspection. A search revealed dozens of tortoises stuffed into black stockings hidden inside leg sleeves.
"We found a large number of live tortoises wrapped in black stockings inside the black leg sleeves on the traveler's calves, totaling 64. Professional identification later confirmed that all of them were Hermann's tortoises," said Bi Yunxia, a custom officer at Liantang Port, Shenzhen Customs.
Hermann's tortoise is a protected species listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The case highlights China's ongoing crackdown on wildlife trafficking.
China customs foils smuggling of 64 tortoises at Shenzhen port
The summer fishing season at the Bosten Lake in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region started on Saturday after a 112-day fishing ban, driving a boom in both the local fishery industry and regional tourism.
Nestled at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, the lake is China's largest inland freshwater body and renowned for its abundant fish populations, characterized by their impressive sizes. The dramatic sight of massive hauls being pulled out of water has become a major attraction.
"The giant net pulling in the fish is absolutely spectacular. I also tried the fish from the Bosten Lake. The meat is tender and delicate, and the fish soup tastes exceptional. It's really great," said Wang Jing, a tourist.
"I came specially to see the opening ceremony and the large net fishing. There is a variety of fish here, and there are also stunning traditional song and dance performances. The trip has been completely worth it," said Fan Rubo, another visitor.
To maximize the economic impact, the local government has integrated the fish harvesting with cultural tourism, creating a highly profitable summer carnival centered around the lake's bounty.
Summer fishing starts at Xinjiang’s Bosten Lake, driving tourism
