Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

These two protected baby caimans have been seized by customs after a bungling tourist tried to bring them across a border as a gift for her boyfriend.

Customs staff in Colchane in the northern Chilean region of Tarapaca, located on the border with Bolivia, seized two stuffed Yacare caimans (Caiman yacare) from a Bolivian woman who wanted to give them to her Chilean partner as a souvenir.

However, the species is protected the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the stuffed animals were confiscated.

Border official Cristian Molina Silva said the items were found during an X-ray check because they “require special authorisation” and are “protected by international agreements”.

He added: “The tourist said she was unaware she was committing an infraction and did not declare the items to the custom office therefore it was considered a crime of importing banned products.”

It is unclear whether the tourist has been charged with committing an offence.

Yacare caimans live in subtropical areas in Latin America and grow up to 2.5 metres (8.2 feet) long.

They have been protected due to poaching activities and the use of their skin for shoes, wallets and other items of clothing.

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