Reports from Turkish media indicate that a curator at the American Museum of Natural History was detained in Istanbul on Monday for allegedly attempting to smuggle spider and scorpion samples. The curator, an expert on arachnids, claimed to have permits from the Turkish government to conduct his research.
The curator, identified as a specialist in arachnids at the New York-based museum, was reportedly apprehended by police at Istanbul Airport while trying to transport approximately 1,500 samples out of the country. According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, the curator was held for allegedly attempting to smuggle species indigenous to Turkey.
Video footage released by the Demiroren News Agency depicted officers inspecting the curator's hand luggage and uncovering plastic bags containing what appeared to be deceased spiders and scorpions. The curator stated that the police had disregarded the permits issued by the Turkish government for his research, which was being conducted in collaboration with local scientists.
In comments provided via email to The Associated Press, the curator mentioned having appeared before a judge and subsequently being released without charge. The curator expressed frustration over the police's actions, alleging that they had relied on the testimony of an individual with a potential conflict of interest and questionable scientific research.
The museum's official website identifies the curator as overseeing collections of spiders, scorpions, centipedes, and millipedes. It notes that the curator's research on spiders and scorpions has taken him to over 30 countries.
