Orsk, Orenburg Oblast, Russia - September 10, 2024

A woman caught trafficking a single endangered ring-tailed lemur baffled customs officials when she said she was trying to save the species.

The woman, not named by police, was stopped at Orsk trying to cross from Russia into Kazakhstan with the animal.

She told customs inspectors that she planned to help save the species by breeding from the young female, named Georgette.
Local media reports say she had none of the documents needed to transport an exotic animal and had hidden the lemur in her car.
Video footage shows Georgette snacking on grapes after being rescued and moved to a wildlife refuge centre while police investigate where she came from.

The ring-tailed lemur (Catta) is listed in Appendix I of the CITES Convention as an endangered species. Exporting it from Russia requires a CITES export permit, issued by Rosprirodnadzor.

An administrative case has been initiated for the violation of prohibitions and restrictions.

In collaboration with Rosprirodnadzor, authorities are deciding whether to transfer the lemur to a specialised facility for temporary care.