Authorities seize 261 suspected wild parrot eggs at Schiphol

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) seized 261 fertilized eggs at Schiphol Airport, believed to have been taken from wild parrots, the agency reported on Thursday. Authorities found the eggs during a baggage inspection at Schiphol Airport on Tuesday.

The eggs were found in the carry-on bags of a man and woman flying from Central America to an Asian destination through Schiphol. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee detained the pair, and they are still in custody.

According to the NVWA, the eggs belonged to several parrot species. They were wrapped in paper and bundled in groups of 20 inside T-shirts. Inspectors heard chirping while examining the packages, and a chick hatched at that moment.

Both the chick and the remaining eggs were promptly put into an incubator at the specialized care center to give the unborn chicks the best chance of survival. “The chick is still too young to identify its species,” the agency explained.

Parrots are a protected species, and the two suspects were unable to show that they legally owned the eggs. Parrots are protected under the CITES Convention, an international treaty controlling trade in endangered species. Lacking any ownership or import documentation, the suspects broke both international agreements and Dutch law.

It could take several weeks before the chicks grow enough for experts to identify their exact species using either physical traits or DNA analysis, according to Reuters.