Live coral seized at Manchester Airport

In yet another case of officials racing the clock to protect the environment staff at Manchester Airport were deployed to deal with a very large and very living problem – that of how to handle over a tonne of coral imported from Indonesia.

Officers from the UK Border Agency were the first to discover the living form after finding an incorrect description of the contents of a cargo freighter. After confirming the find the coral was then sent on an emergency dash to Ellesmere Port’s Blue Planet Aquarium where it thankfully remains intact and breathing.

As a living species, the Rock Coral falls under the protection of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) with strict regulations governing the import or export of such creatures.

The UK Border Agency issued a statement commending the swift actions and thinking of Airport staff and claim that thanks to these officers the public will soon be able to enjoy viewing the coral in their new home at the Aquarium.

The UKBA is continuing its investigation into the delivery through consultation with their Indonesian counterparts.