Argentina Seizes Over 700 Marine Animals Shipped from Kenya

Argentine authorities seized more than 700 marine animals at Ezeiza International Airport near Buenos Aires on April 26. The shipment originated in Kenya and contained tropical fish and invertebrates commonly used in home aquariums. The operation involved Argentina’s Environmental Control Brigade, customs officials, the agricultural health agency, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and Fundación Temaikèn.

Species included surgeonfish, puffer fish, lionfish, butterflyfish, octopuses, crabs, and starfish.

Many animals arrived dead after 120 hours in transit.

Others showed severe signs of stress and shock upon arrival. Fundación Temaikèn established an emergency rescue operation at its facilities in Escobar. Staff worked more than 28 hours to stabilize survivors and installed ten additional tanks with heating, filtration, and water-conditioning systems.

Cristian Gillet, wildlife director at Fundación Temaikèn, said many animals had been extracted from reef ecosystems and spent days inside transport bags before rescue.

Rescue teams performed drip acclimation on each animal individually to adjust them to new water conditions. Specialists used a triage system to prioritize treatment for the most weakened specimens. Christian Plowman of the International Fund for Animal Welfare stated that moving 709 animals of 102 species across international cargo routes in individual bags for 120 hours requires coordination along the supply chain.

He noted this was the third seizure at the same airport in a year. The animals remain under specialized care while authorities determine their long-term placement. Officials have not identified the shipper or reported any arrests. Kenya Wildlife Service officials did not respond to requests for comment.