Australian traveler nabbed with live pigeons in pants

BEIJING, Feb. 3 (Chinese medianet) -- A traveler was caught with

two live pigeons stuffed in his pants following a trip to the Middle East,

Australian customs officials said as quoted by media Tuesday.

The 23-year-old man was searched after the customs authorities discovered

two eggs in a vitamin container in his luggage, said Richard Janeczko,

national investigations manager for the Customs Service.

They found the pigeons wrapped in padded envelopes

and held to each of the man's legs with a pair of tights, according to a

statement released by the agency. Officials also seized seeds in his money belt

and an undeclared eggplant.

The alleged bird smuggler, who arrived in Melbourne

on Sunday on a flight from Dubai, was being questioned.

Janeczko said the pigeons were not endangered and

that the case, as well as the birds, eggs and seeds, had been turned over to the

Quarantine Service to assess the health risk associated with bringing the birds

into the country.

(Agencies)