Secret network of illegal collectors uncovered in Aussie suburbs
Those keeping exotic animals in secret without a permit are being urged to come forward or face fines of up to $95,000.
Inside ordinary homes across one Australian capital city, authorities have uncovered a secret network of highly specialised collectors. After search warrants were issued across Greater Melbourne, unprecedented numbers of illegal exotic pets were discovered.
“It was a real spike in what has been considered normal, and we found species never detected in Victoria before. So it’s a real escalation,” Adam Kay, the Biosecurity Manager at Agriculture Victoria told Yahoo News.
The dismantling of the operation, which had links to other states, has prompted Victorian authorities to offer those with illegal pets the opportunity to voluntarily surrender them. The Your Pet, Our Pest program aims to reduce the threat the state created by the animals which could spread disease or become invasive in the landscape.
“There’ll be no questions asked. The message is do the right thing before we knock on your door. Because if we knock on your door first then we will prosecute you and seek to issue fines,” Kay added.
And penalties for illegally importing, keeping, breeding, or trading exotic animals are high. Offenders can face fines of up to $95,000.
Related: Mystery as exotic pest reportedly found in affluent Aussie suburb
What animals were seized during the operation?
Among the animals seized during the operation were African pygmy hedgehogs, which have never been seen in Victorian illegal collections before. There were also tortoises, boa constrictors, ball pythons, native wildlife like shinglebacks and blue tongues, and what Kay describes as “some very strange noxious fish as well.”
The operation began in 2023, but details can't be released as it’s yet to go before the courts.
Animals brought into Australia illegally that bypass the country’s strict quarantine laws have the potential to cause billions of dollars in damage to the agriculture sector and kill off native wildlife.
Offenders risk introducing rabies or foot and mouth disease through the importation of mammals. Reptiles can carry odd diseases like sunshine virus and inclusion body disease which have a high mortality rate when spread to native species.
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Sad reality behind illegal pet trade
Kay wants anyone thinking of illegally importing an animal into Australia to be aware of the cruelty the process can involve.
“Often when animals are transited into the state, it's done over long periods, often in really poor conditions and in small containers. They're dehydrated, they're highly stressed, and we know that there's a really high mortality rate,” he said.
“For people who are purchasing these pets from this cruel trade, you're only encouraging it.”
Anyone keeping an illegal pet can be reported anonymously online or by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The four locations where pets can be surrendered can be found on its website.
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