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| Stowaway creatures on the rise in UK, expert warns | Stowaway creatures on the rise in UK, expert warns |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| This scorpion was found in a package in Basingstoke last month | |
| At least 200 creepy crawlies and some slitherers have accidentally made their way to the UK through parcels or luggage this year, according to an expert who rescues them. | At least 200 creepy crawlies and some slitherers have accidentally made their way to the UK through parcels or luggage this year, according to an expert who rescues them. |
| Chris Newman, from the National Centre for Reptile Welfare (NCRW), told the BBC there seemed to be a "worrying" increase in cases, with three venomous scorpions appearing to have been shipped from China in the last month. | Chris Newman, from the National Centre for Reptile Welfare (NCRW), told the BBC there seemed to be a "worrying" increase in cases, with three venomous scorpions appearing to have been shipped from China in the last month. |
| "We've had 200 stowaways this year. Twelve have been scorpions and three of those have been within the last month - the same species of scorpion from China," he said. | "We've had 200 stowaways this year. Twelve have been scorpions and three of those have been within the last month - the same species of scorpion from China," he said. |
| It comes as a student from the University of Bristol discovered a live scorpion when she opened a clothing parcel from fast-fashion firm Shein, while a couple from Basingstoke told the BBC they were shocked to find a scorpion in a package ordered from Amazon last month. | It comes as a student from the University of Bristol discovered a live scorpion when she opened a clothing parcel from fast-fashion firm Shein, while a couple from Basingstoke told the BBC they were shocked to find a scorpion in a package ordered from Amazon last month. |
| Mr Newman said the apparent spike in cases reported to the charity has been concerning. | Mr Newman said the apparent spike in cases reported to the charity has been concerning. |
| "In the scale of things, I'm sure there's millions of packages coming in from China, but to have three in the last month is worrying," he said. | "In the scale of things, I'm sure there's millions of packages coming in from China, but to have three in the last month is worrying," he said. |
| However, he said it was important to see it in context, adding: "Overall, it's a rare occurrence." | However, he said it was important to see it in context, adding: "Overall, it's a rare occurrence." |
| Mr Newman described Chinese species of scorpion seen in Bristol, Olivierus martensii, as "medically significant" and "very venomous". | Mr Newman described Chinese species of scorpion seen in Bristol, Olivierus martensii, as "medically significant" and "very venomous". |
| They could be "life threatening", particularly for those more vulnerable, he said, but "an average adult would just have a really bad day". | They could be "life threatening", particularly for those more vulnerable, he said, but "an average adult would just have a really bad day". |
| Chris Newman is director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare which collects unwanted creatures visiting from abroad | Chris Newman is director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare which collects unwanted creatures visiting from abroad |
| 'We didn't know what else was going to be in there' | 'We didn't know what else was going to be in there' |
| Claire and Joe Branscombe bought a treadmill from a third-party seller on Amazon with a warehouse address in China. | Claire and Joe Branscombe bought a treadmill from a third-party seller on Amazon with a warehouse address in China. |
| "Our cat was very interested in a package that had been delivered to us, we hadn’t had a chance to open it yet," Mrs Branscombe said. | "Our cat was very interested in a package that had been delivered to us, we hadn’t had a chance to open it yet," Mrs Branscombe said. |
| "She was scratching at the corners, so we took a closer look and to our horror a live scorpion crawled out of the box. | "She was scratching at the corners, so we took a closer look and to our horror a live scorpion crawled out of the box. |
| "We were screaming: 'What is this?' | "We were screaming: 'What is this?' |
| "We went into total shock." | "We went into total shock." |
| They said scientists they contacted after making the find had identified it as an Olivierus martensii scorpion. | They said scientists they contacted after making the find had identified it as an Olivierus martensii scorpion. |
| "It's funny, you wouldn't bat an eyelid if one ran across you in a hot climate, but in our living room in Hampshire, we thought it was an alien," Mrs Branscombe added. | "It's funny, you wouldn't bat an eyelid if one ran across you in a hot climate, but in our living room in Hampshire, we thought it was an alien," Mrs Branscombe added. |
| Terrified that there could be more scorpions inside, the couple put the treadmill out in the garden as they "didn't know what else was going to be there". | Terrified that there could be more scorpions inside, the couple put the treadmill out in the garden as they "didn't know what else was going to be there". |
| The next morning, Mr Branscombe - armed with insect spray, gloves and other garden tools - checked it over and found no further stowaways. | The next morning, Mr Branscombe - armed with insect spray, gloves and other garden tools - checked it over and found no further stowaways. |
| The couple said they complained to both the company and to Amazon. | The couple said they complained to both the company and to Amazon. |
| The company told them it had never happened before and said it was reviewing CCTV, while Amazon apologised to them for the situation and offered a partial refund on behalf of the seller. | The company told them it had never happened before and said it was reviewing CCTV, while Amazon apologised to them for the situation and offered a partial refund on behalf of the seller. |
| An Amazon spokeswoman apologised and said: "Thankfully this is an incredibly rare case and we have apologised, refunded the customer, and are investigating with the third-party seller." | An Amazon spokeswoman apologised and said: "Thankfully this is an incredibly rare case and we have apologised, refunded the customer, and are investigating with the third-party seller." |
| The scorpion found by a student in Bristol | The scorpion found by a student in Bristol |
| Mr Newman said the three scorpions he was aware of had come from different companies. | Mr Newman said the three scorpions he was aware of had come from different companies. |
| "So it's not the same company, but it seems to be a problem that's occurring from China," he said. | "So it's not the same company, but it seems to be a problem that's occurring from China," he said. |
| He said 12 scorpions which had come to the UK had been reported to NCRW this year with "most coming back in people's luggage". | He said 12 scorpions which had come to the UK had been reported to NCRW this year with "most coming back in people's luggage". |
| "One lady went to Mexico and brought one back in her shoe by accident. It was a very dangerous scorpion too," he said. | "One lady went to Mexico and brought one back in her shoe by accident. It was a very dangerous scorpion too," he said. |
| "It's quite surprising what does actually come back. We've had a total of 127 different species of animals come back as stowaways." | "It's quite surprising what does actually come back. We've had a total of 127 different species of animals come back as stowaways." |
| The centre has seen everything from a European tree frog in a home furnishings store, to a venomous spider in a case of Australian wine. | The centre has seen everything from a European tree frog in a home furnishings store, to a venomous spider in a case of Australian wine. |
| If someone finds a reptile or other exotic creature in their package or luggage, Mr Newman said "the most important thing to do is try not to touch it by hand". | If someone finds a reptile or other exotic creature in their package or luggage, Mr Newman said "the most important thing to do is try not to touch it by hand". |
| Instead, he advises people to get a glass or Tupperware to contain it. Then give them a call. | Instead, he advises people to get a glass or Tupperware to contain it. Then give them a call. |
| "Earlier this week, we’ve had a hermit crab that came back from Malta in a shell," he said. | "Earlier this week, we’ve had a hermit crab that came back from Malta in a shell," he said. |
| "We get lizards, scorpions, snakes, toads, frogs. We get all sorts of things come in. | "We get lizards, scorpions, snakes, toads, frogs. We get all sorts of things come in. |
| "Quite often people would let them go, which is the worst thing you could do. Technically its illegal to release a non-native species in this country." | "Quite often people would let them go, which is the worst thing you could do. Technically its illegal to release a non-native species in this country." |
| A European tree frog which was found on a plant in a home furnishings store | A European tree frog which was found on a plant in a home furnishings store |
| On the scorpion found in Bristol, Mr Newman said: "They are not particularly aggressive but they will defend themselves if they feel threatened. | On the scorpion found in Bristol, Mr Newman said: "They are not particularly aggressive but they will defend themselves if they feel threatened. |
| "And the poor little chaps just come all the way from China in a parcel so he’s been banged about so he’s probably not in the greatest mood if I'm honest. | "And the poor little chaps just come all the way from China in a parcel so he’s been banged about so he’s probably not in the greatest mood if I'm honest. |
| "We are seeing more scorpions this year, from all over the world. | "We are seeing more scorpions this year, from all over the world. |
| "If you find something in a parcel. Try to secure it, but work on the premise it could be harmful. Give us a call and we’ll give you advice on what to do from there and we’ll come to collect it." | "If you find something in a parcel. Try to secure it, but work on the premise it could be harmful. Give us a call and we’ll give you advice on what to do from there and we’ll come to collect it." |
| The centre's emergency service operates 24/7 all year round and has 100 drop-off points across the UK. Alternatively, if it is a dangerous species, a collection service is offered. | The centre's emergency service operates 24/7 all year round and has 100 drop-off points across the UK. Alternatively, if it is a dangerous species, a collection service is offered. |
| Once the animal has been established, it is found a new home. | Once the animal has been established, it is found a new home. |
| "Some will stay with us for education purposes, but mostly we find them new homes," Mr Newman said. | "Some will stay with us for education purposes, but mostly we find them new homes," Mr Newman said. |
| "Those that are rare or endangered would go to zoos and institutions, others will go to private keepers." | "Those that are rare or endangered would go to zoos and institutions, others will go to private keepers." |
| The service has seen a spike in the past month but this may be down to more people becoming aware of it after they signposted it on their website. | The service has seen a spike in the past month but this may be down to more people becoming aware of it after they signposted it on their website. |
| Mr Newman said he still thought "very few people find us", adding: "I suspect we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg." | Mr Newman said he still thought "very few people find us", adding: "I suspect we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg." |
| It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release any creature not normally resident in Great Britain into the wild. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology can be contacted if people find a creature they suspect is non-native. | It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release any creature not normally resident in Great Britain into the wild. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology can be contacted if people find a creature they suspect is non-native. |
| A Huntsman spider found in a case of wine from Australia | A Huntsman spider found in a case of wine from Australia |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| Have you found anything unusual in a parcel? Please share your experiences. | Have you found anything unusual in a parcel? Please share your experiences. |