Crocodile skull macramé pendant seized by customs officials

A crocodile skull designed to be worn as a giant pendant has been seized by biosecurity officers at Christchurch Airport in New Zealand. A passenger arriving from Indonesia declared the skull to Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officers earlier this week.

It was nearly 25 centimetres long and was attached to a string with a macramé basket. The passenger planned to wear the pendant to parties, and was disappointed to lose it, MPI border clearance team manager Michael Walker said. "There's the obvious biosecurity risk of such items carrying pests or diseases," Walker said.



"But the main reason for seizing the skull was New Zealand's obligations under the Trade in Endangered Species Act. The passenger didn't have an official permit, so the skull couldn't come in." He said the passenger did the right thing in declaring the skull. "For biosecurity reasons . . . we take a hard line on those who don't," Walker said.

"Passengers should be aware of the biosecurity risk of any souvenirs they bring back from overseas." The skull was given to the Department of Conservation. Walker said it was unusual for MPI staff to intercept crocodile heads. They occasionally came in from Australia. "I have to say it's very odd to see one used as a macramé necklace," Walker said.