Orangutan in a suitcase: Tourist tried to steal a primate from Bali

A Russian tourist was arrested at the Bali Island Airport after trying to steal a drugged orangutan from the country in a suitcase, a French press reported, quoted by bTV.

27-year-old Andrey Zestkov, who was carrying the 2-year-old male primate in his luggage, was detained.

Authorities also discovered two geckos and five lizards in the man’s luggage.

Officials found the 2-year-old orangutan fast asleep in a basket, evidently drugged with allergy pills, after a routine security screening.

The tourist prepared the animal, like he was transporting a baby. The man had also packed baby formula and blankets.

Now he faces up to five years in prison and $7,000 in fines, according to the outlet.

Zhestkov explained at the arrest that his orangutan was given to him by a Russian friend who had bought him for $ 3,000 from a market on the island of Java.

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