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Around 1 600 neglected reptiles and amphibians have been rescued from an OR Tambo International Aiport cargo building.
NSPCA spokesperson, Ainsley Hay, said the animals were discovered during a routine inspection on Wednesday.
She says the consignment, bound for the United States of America from Madagascar, was left unattended to in the cargo area when flights to the USA were cancelled.
Hay says the surviving animals, which included geckos, frogs, chameleons, lizards and toads, were taken to the Johannesburg Zoo for treatment and care.
She says the animals had been caught in the wild for the exotic pet trade.
