text: Customs officials have seized what is being described as a 'zoo in a suitcase' from a woman accused of smuggling 108 exotic animals in Russia. In the bag, carried in the hold of the aircraft, there were 55 snakes, 35 lizards, seven turtles, six lemurs, two monkeys and even a suspected leopard cub. Two baby crocodiles died on the journey from Jakarta to Moscow and all the survivors appeared terrified when they were found after the 6,515-mile ordeal. The menagerie came to light when customs officials at Domodedovo airport electronically scanned a 27kg bag belonging to an unnamed female passenger who had flown from Indonesia via Qatar. Cruel cargo: More than 100 exotic animals were found stuffed in this suitcase belonging to a female passenger travelling on a flight from Indonesia to Russia's Domodedovo airport . Rare: Among the animals seized was this suspected leopard cub, a species which is listed in the Red Book of endangered animals. If it turns out to be the case, the suspect could face up to seven years in prison . Exotic: Customs officials also found 55 snakes, 35 lizards, seven turtles, six lemurs and two monkeys . Horrendous treatment: The menagerie came to light when customs officials at Domodedovo airport electronically scanned a 27kg bag belonging to a female passenger who had flown from Indonesia via Qatar . Spokeswoman Larisa Ledovskikh said: 'The animals were packed in tiny cages and plastic boxes and each snake was in small bag made of cloth.' Experts are trying to identify the 'amazingly beautiful "kitten" with bright green eyes and stripes' among the trafficked animals. Officials in Moscow suspect it is a leopard cub, a species which is listed in the Red Book of endangered animals. If true, the woman - held in detention pending a decision on any charges - faces up to seven years in jail. Turtles packed in a container: The suspect claimed she bought the animals for £130 in a market in Indonesia . The suspect denied intending to sell the animals on the black market, claiming they were 'for future breeding' Exotic animals are a lucrative business in Russia, where private zoos are seen as de rigueur for the wealthy . 'It was a sad scene - exhausted monkeys, scared lemurs, the begging green eyes of a beautiful "cat",' wrote newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets. The animal courier claimed she had bought the animals for $200 (£130) in a market in Indonesia. She denied intending to sell the animals on the black market, claiming they were 'for future breeding'. But trading in exotic animals is seen as lucrative business in Russia, where private zoos are seen as de rigueur for the wealthy. The animals were packed in tiny cages and plastic boxes and each snake was in small bag made of cloth . In need of rehabilitation: After being impounded, the hungry and exhausted creatures were handed to employees of Moscow's 'Exotic Park' where they will be cared for until their future is decided . A handler from the park held the animals for the customs pictures, which will be used as evidence in the case . After being impounded, the hungry and exhausted creatures were handed to employees of Moscow's 'Exotic Park' where they will be cared for until their future is decided. A handler from the park held the animals for the customs pictures, which will be used as evidence in the case against the 'animal courier'. 'Experts will check the animals and calculate the price of each one,' said the spokeswoman. 'They will also establish if any of these animals are under protection of the international convention on rare species.'
target: Passenger accused of smuggling 108 exotic animals on flight from Jakarta .
  Two baby crocodiles died on the journey to Russia after 6,515-mile ordeal .
  Woman faces up to seven years in jail if found guilty of smuggling leopard .