Reality-show props spur drama

Survivor items seized in Houston include endangered species, likely exotic pests

By ALLAN TURNER Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Dec. 16, 2008, 11:12PM

1 2 3

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Customs agents say termites were discovered in these wooden masks, which also contain contaminated bird feathers.

PHOTO GALLERY

Survivor Gabon

Bones, bloody feathers, animal skins, crawling insects and the skull of a large baboon - the contents of the sea container seized at the Port of Houston might have been the results of a teenager's science project gone awry. But the macabre freight was just props from an African episode of the CBS television series Survivor, authorities said Tuesday.

Interception of the freight container by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on Nov. 18 has spurred a U.S. Department of Agriculture investigation that could result in fines for the television network. Telephone calls and e-mails to CBS seeking comment were not returned.

At issue is the legality of shipping civet hides and a mandrill skull - both animals are considered endangered - to the U.S. Civets are catlike carnivores. Mandrills are large baboons.

The shipment originated in the west African nation of Gabon, filming location of the 17th edition of the reality show, which aired Sunday night.

Joshua Winchell, spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which participated in the seizure, said endangered animals or animal parts may in some cases be imported into the U.S., but only when proper permits have been obtained.

Also of concern were insects found in the container and the possibility that the artifacts harbored microbes that could cause Ebola, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or other serious human diseases.

"The exploitation of endangered and protected species, as well as the introduction of potentially dangerous exotic pests, is something individual travelers and businesses alike should be aware of," Jeffery Baldwin Sr., Houston customs field operations director, said in a prepared statement.

"Importers and shippers must understand that what they are importing may have serious effects on our nation."

Insects found in the container included termites and a weevil-like insect called proeces depressis, said customs spokeswoman Yolanda Choates.

Entomologists at Cornell University and Texas Tech University said they were unfamiliar with the latter insect.

The introduction of exotic pests, flourishing without natural enemies in their new home, is of particular concern to insect experts.

They cite the example of voracious Formosan termites devastating the southern U.S. after making landfall at a Gulf Coast port after World War II.

The shipment contained cowrie shells, which are used for divination in some African religions, assorted feathers containing blood and flesh fragments, a wooden statue and ceremonial masks.

Choates said some contents of the container were denied entry and returned to Gabon. Those that were held as part of the investigation were fumigated with the potent insecticide methyl bromide.

She said the container was seized after authorities noted that the shipment manifest identified contents as "returning U.S. goods."

All such containers are inspected to ensure that those goods have not been mixed with others of foreign origin, she said.