In a recent incident at Chennai airport, customs officials discovered six black-collared starlings deceased in a passenger’s luggage, suspected to be a trial run to test the alertness of authorities towards wildlife smuggling. The birds, not classified as endangered, were disposed of by incineration. This discovery comes amidst a series of successful interceptions, signaling a proactive stance against illegal wildlife trade. While these efforts have deterred smugglers, international airports continue to maintain heightened vigilance to combat such activities effectively.