India, July 17 -- The customs officials at the Pune International Airport intercepted two passengers arriving from Bangkok on Tuesday and seized rare and exotic wildlife animals illegally brought into the country.

Acting on tip-off, Zaheerabbas Aynal Mandal and Bhavesh Rameshbhai Solanki, who had taken an Air India Express Flight, were detained at the airport and 14 Green Tree Pythons (Morelia viridis) - 13 alive and one found dead, four Double-eyed Fig Parrots (Cyclopsitta diophthalma), and two Sumatran Striped Rabbits (Nesolagus netscheri), a species considered extremely rare, were found in their possession.

The customs officials have registered a case under the Customs Act, 1962, in conjunction with provisions of the Wildlife (Protec...