A PERSHORE holidaymaker found he had an unexpected, and somewhat unwanted, souvenir from his time in Zambia when he found a rare scorpion in his luggage.
He made the discovery as he was unpacking his case after returning home from the 8,000-mile exotic trip and contacted the RSPCA.
RSPCA inspector Thea Kerrison said: “He was unpacking and this little chap popped out of his bag.
“Apparently to be stung by one would be like receiving a small electric shock but not fatal.”
It was identified as Babycurus jacksoni, often known as a red bark scorpion or rusty thick tail scorpion.
It is now in the care of a specialist exotics experts.
This species is a member of the family Buthidae which is listed on the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. Although the man had no intention of keeping the scorpion, he would have needed a special licence to do so.
Following the incident, the animal welfare charity is appealing to people returning from holidays abroad to make sure they check their belongings before they set off home to ensure they do not return with an unexpected stowaway.
Insp Kerrison added: “It’s so important to thoroughly check and recheck luggage including clothes, shoes, towels and bags before leaving holiday destinations.”
It is also an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release a non-native UK species into the wild or allow them to escape.
Residents can visit rspca.org.uk to find out more about the RSPCA and rspca.org.uk/give to donate to the charity.
