About 270 metric tons of illegal bush meat could be passing through one of Europe's busiest airports each year

Researchers say the illicit trade could pose a risk to human or animal health and increase the demand for meat from threatened species. The figure is based on seizures from searches carried out at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. An international team of researchers estimated that about five metric tons of bushmeat per week is smuggled in personal baggage through Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport. During the 17-day study, a total of 134 passengers arriving on 29 flights from 14 African nations were searched. Nine people were found to be carrying bushmeat, which had a combined mass of 188kg. In total, 11 species were found - including two types of primates, two kinds of crocodiles and three rodent species - four of which were listed as protected species.