On March 21, 15 live salamanders were intercepted at a Shanghai port, in the midst of their journey from Germany to China via post, Xinhuanet.com reported. An investigation revealed that the previous owner of the salamanders, a German reptile lover, intended to breed the species after mailing the specimens to a fellow enthusiast in China.

Salamanders are not currently sold on the Chinese market due to inherent biological risks. The animal possesses poison glands near its eyes and both sides of its spine. They secrete milky venom when the animal is threatened, and the venom causes temporary blindness if it gets into human eyes.

Statistics showed that in 2015, 35 parcels of live animals including snakes, chilopods and spiders were intercepted at the port. That number rose to 47 in 2016, up 34.3 percent. The rise of such attempts indicates a lack of awareness about biosafety.

According to laws and regulations on inspection and quarantine, shipping live animals in parcels to China is strictly prohibited, as the animals may carry pathogens or cause an invasion of foreign species. Due to these risks, live animals must pass through a strict approval process before entering the country.