We hope that Scotland's travellers will think twice about what they bring home

Dave Clark, Customs and Excise

Latest figures showed that more than 2,500 live animals were discovered coming into the country in the last year.

At Glasgow Airport, Customs and Excise officers recently uncovered terrapins hidden in a lunch box.

They have also foiled attempts to smuggle live snakes hidden inside handbags, and even wrapped around the waist as a belt.

The WWF campaign aims to highlight the important role holidaymakers can play by not trying to bring rare animals into Britain or buying souvenirs made from materials such as ivory, coral or rare animal skin.

All animals found by customs are confiscated and passed on to zoos or aquariums.

Ivory is among the materials which is smuggled

But officials warn that there can be heavy fines or even a prison term for those found to be importing endangered species.

Eight hundred species of animals and plants are banned from international trade to try to ensure their survival, while a further 25,000 are strictly controlled.

These include many corals, reptiles and orchids, as well as animals like tigers, rhinos, turtles and elephants.

Simon Pepper, a director of WWF in Scotland, said: "Holidaymakers don't realise that by buying wildlife souvenirs they may be cutting a swathe through a species already threatened with extinction."

Customs' Scottish detection chief Dave Clark said: "Every year tourists bring back souvenirs that look innocent but can in fact be illegal.

Future generations

"These goods are rightly seized by customs officers as they are from endangered species.

"We owe it to future generations to protect the world we live in, so think before you buy."

He added: "We hope that Scotland's travellers will think twice about what they bring home.

"Our advice is that if you are in any doubt, don't buy."