MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds of wild spiders were seized by authorities at the General Santos International Airport (GSIA) as they were about to be smuggled to different provinces in the country.
The Aviation Security Group of the Philippine National Police and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) flagged a suspicious cargo on September 16, 2025, which was later confirmed to contain about 278 live wild spiders.
The spiders were scheduled to be transported from General Santos to different courier hubs in Tarlac, Lipa City, Batangas, Valenzuela City, Carmona City, Cavite, and Ibaan, Batangas.
The wild spiders are now in the custody of the DENR.
Authorities seized the spiders in accordance with Republic Act 9147, the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.
