Customs officials in the Philippines found more than 1,500 turtles and tortoises wrapped in tape. They were found in the luggage of a traveler who was coming from Hong Kong.
In total, four pieces of luggage were found with the animals inside on Sunday.
The species include the redfoot, star and African spurred tortoises. All are protected species under the International Union for Conversation of Nature.
Investigators said the luggage may have been abandoned by someone trying to avoid prosecution.
