Further investigation revealed that the cubs had been illegally sold from a zoo in Kazakhstan.
They were part of a litter of five, though the whereabouts of the other three remains unknown.
The zoo director was arrested and sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his involvement in the smuggling operation.
Sadly, the trafficking of exotic animals continues to be a major concern worldwide. This story, however, had a happy ending—thanks to the dedication of one alert and loyal service dog who didn’t just find contraband, but saved two innocent lives.
