Man tried to smuggle 14 rare Peregrine falcon eggs on a plane to Dubai from Birmingham Airport
ANTI-TERROR police arrested an alleged thief trying to smuggle rare birds eggs from Wales to Dubai at Birmingham Airport on Bank Holiday Monday.
Jeffrey Lendrum was charged with climbing a mountain in south Wales to steal peregrine falcon eggs from their nest at Solihull Magistrates’ Court.
West Midlands Police said it is the first case of its kind for 20 years.
The 48-year-old, who has dual Zimbabwean and Irish nationality, was said to have the eggs strapped to his body to keep them warm.
He was charged with four offences involving the taking of the eggs from a peak in the Rhondda and hiding them to evade export restrictions.
He was also charged with the possession of climbing gear, an incubator and other equipment to take and keep wild bird eggs.
Twelve of the 14 eggs are believed to be alive.
Officers said they kept them safe by nesting them on their office computers and turning them regularly until wildlife rescue centre staff arrived to collect them. It is hoped they will eventually be returned to the wild once they are hatched.
Lendrum was remanded in custody on May 5 and he is due to appear at Warwick Crown Court later this month.
Source : Birmingham mail news