Did that really happen?

Please Remove Your Leg, Sir!

CEF language level: B2






Airline security staff keep a close watch on the illegal trade in endangered reptiles. So how do you transport three bright green lizards across the world?


In 2007, a Californian, Jereme James was found not guilty of stealing the very rare iguanas from a nature reserve in Fiji. Mr James was, however, found guilty of the sale and possession of four very rare Fiji Island banded iguanas. He also admitted smuggling the iguanas back to the United States, hiding them in a special compartment in his prosthetic leg. Why did customs officials not spot the stolen reptiles? Perhaps they thought it rude to ask, ‘Could you please take your leg off, sir?’ And, to be fair, most iguana smugglers don’t have a spare leg.

The iguanas were given a new home. Mr James
was also sent to new accommodation - with bars on the windows

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