Colombia returns over a ton of seized marine wildlife to Caribbean reefs

Colombian environmental authorities seized more than 1,200 kilograms of shells, corals, starfish and other marine material that travelers had illegally taken from the Caribbean and packed in luggage at Bogotá's El Dorado airport. The items, taken without permits from the waters of the Caribbean department, were identified during routine cargo checks and confiscated under wildlife‑trade regulations.

The seized material will be transported free of charge by LATAM Airlines Colombia to the San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina archipelago, where specialists from CORALINA and Conservation International will oversee its re‑introduction into protected reef areas such as the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve. Officials say the operation aims to restore habitat, highlight the ecological damage caused by souvenir collecting, and reinforce penalties for illegal extraction and trade of marine species.