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Exotic oceanarium fish die inhumanely

SOCHI, Russia, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- More than 4,000 exotic fish imported from China died of high heat exposure when they were neglected at a Russian airport, an oceanarium official said Tuesday.

RIA Novosti reported the cargo of fish worth $480,000, stood for hours when it arrived at customs in Sochi.

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The fish were intended for the Sochi Discovery World Oceanarium that was due to be open during the Eighth International Investment Forum in Sochi Aug. 17 through Sept. 11.

"The 18-ton cargo, containing over 4,000 exotic fish from China, was standing at customs at Sochi Airport for more than 14 hours in quite hot weather," said Amin Azzam, head of Sochi Discovery World Oceanarium.

By the time the fish containers were opened, most of them were dead, Azzam said.

"I have never seen living creatures tormented in such a way," said Azzam, adding that the documents for the fish had been in good order, which indicated that red tape would not have been a cause for a delay at customs.

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