Customs officials have confiscated a gruesome handbag with a crocodile's head used as its closing flap.
The macabre bag was found as officers at Duesseldorf Airport searched a passenger's luggage as he returned to Germany on a flight from Moldova.
Evidence photos of the grim souvenir show how the croc's head, snout and front legs had been used as a closing flap for the front.
On the reverse, the reptile's back legs can be seen emerging from its entire skin.
Picture shows the crocodile handbag, undated. Customs at Dusseldorf Airport confiscated the handbag from strictly protected species. Note: Photo from customs. (Main Customs Office Dusseldorf/Newsflash/NX)
Customs officials, who released the pictures on 30th May, say the 65-year-old unnamed passenger told them he had bought the bag as a gift for his wife.
They said in a statement: "In principle, there's nothing wrong with bringing home travel souvenirs and gifts for friends and family.
"But when it comes to goods made from strictly protected animal species, the fun stops at customs."
They added: "The Ukrainian-born man was passing through the green exit for goods exempt from registration when he was stopped by customs officials.
Picture shows the crocodile handbag, undated. Customs at Dusseldorf Airport confiscated the handbag from strictly protected species. Note: Photo from customs. (Main Customs Office Dusseldorf/Newsflash/NX)
"During the subsequent inspection of his hand luggage, customs officers discovered a souvenir that was as curious as it was tasteless.
"A handbag, apparently made of crocodile leather, complete with head and feet, was intended as a gift for the traveller's wife.
"Since it was not possible to determine conclusively on site what species of crocodile it was, the bag was initially confiscated, and the traveller was forced to continue his journey home without it."
Customs experts later said the bag was made from skin from a mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), also known as a marsh crocodile.
Picture shows the crocodile handbag, undated. Customs at Dusseldorf Airport confiscated the handbag from strictly protected species. Note: Photo from customs. (Main Customs Office Dusseldorf/Newsflash/NX)
The mugger crocodile is listed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Customs officials said: "This species of crocodile is under strict protection and may therefore not be imported under any circumstances.
"This means that the bag was confiscated by customs, and criminal proceedings were initiated against the traveller on suspicion of violating the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
"Upon completion of the proceedings, the bag will be handed over to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation."
(Joseph Golder / newsX)