The State - News from Jan. 26, 1986

California’s agricultural inspection stations, which primarily guard against pests like moths and fruit flies, also confiscated animals ranging from elephants and giraffes to piranhas and clawed frogs during 1985. More than 4,000 serious pests were denied entry through checks of 21 million vehicles, said Gera Curry, a spokeswoman for the state Agriculture Department. There were 375 interceptions of gypsy moths, she said. Many of the large animals, such as lions and tigers, were seized when the vehicles carrying them did not have the proper permits. “A lot of these are circus animals,” Curry said. Other animals seized included bears, hawks and snapping turtles.