Over 8,000 pig-nosed turtles rescued in Indonesia

In this picture taken on January 9, 2014, an official holds baby pig-nosed turtles in Tangerang, Banten province. -AFP

JAKARTA: Indonesian officials said Friday they have rescued more than 8,000 baby pig-nosed turtles hidden in suitcases and thought to be destined for China and Singapore.

A total of 2,968 were discovered in four suitcases at the airport serving the capital Jakarta after arriving from the remote eastern Papua region, said Zaenal Abidi, quarantine official.