Tarantula

Several hundred tarantulas, dozens of snakes, several kinds of lizards and gekkos were stolen by burglars from a zoological shop in Czestochowa, southern Poland.

Police have appealed for any information that might lead to the recovery of the animals and arrest of the thieves. Trade in species protected under the Washington Convention is illegal and punishable by up to 5 years in jail if the animal is sold without a certificate of origin.

Police say most of the tarantulas are a variety that are popular as pets and not dangerous to humans, even small children. (EK)