Nairobi  - A German national resident in Kenya is being held in connection with an attempt to illegally export live animals to Japan, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said Thursday.

The KWS said the unnamed German was arrested at midnight on a reptile farm in Eastern Kenya where he works as the director.

The man was arrested after KWS officials intercepted a consigment at Moi International Airport, Mombasa, late on Wednesday.

The consignment contained 113 animals, including terrapins, gekkos, turtles, spiders, frogs and snakes.

Interpol officials in Germany intercepted another consignment containing 338 live reptiles that had already left Mombasa, the KWS said.

The German national and the Kenyan agent sent to drop the consignment at Moi airport are being questioned at Mombasa Central police station. (dpa)