Authorities in Shanghai have seized more than 2,000 endangered turtles last November, in what can be considered as the largest turtle smuggling attempt in the city, the official Xinhua news agency has reported.

According to the Shanghai Bureau of Customs, operatives discovered the more than 2,000 live turtles sneaked into Shanghai from Indonesia on 19 November. The discovery of the smuggled turtles was only reported over the weekend.

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The turtles were purposely placed among crabs in six containers imported from Indonesia. The authorities waited for someone to claim the cargoes, which were later claimed by a company in Shanghai.

Among the species of turtles in the crab containers were endangered ones, such as Amboina box turtle, pig-nosed turtle and spotted pond turtle.

"The turtles have been turned over to local zoos for proper handling and care," one Customs official told Xinhua in an interview.

The authorities in Shanghai did not provide further details about the confiscation of the more than 2,000 endangered turtles. It was also not disclosed if charges have already been filed against the Shanghai company that claimed the illegal cargo.

"An investigation is still going on," one official said.

Turtles are considered as one of the rare and exotic pets that have gained popularity among Chinese people, triggering the rise in the number of smuggling cases involving such animals.

Turtles are also popular exotic delicacies in China but the Chinese government continues to ban the importation of such rare animals. Chinese laws impose stiff penalties, including prison terms, to those found violating the country's anti-smuggling rules.

TagsChina Smuggling, China Endangered Species, China Turtles