A Blacktown man has been fined $3000 for possessing six exotic snakes. Damien Sherry, 22, was charged with possession of illegal imported regular live specimens under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Federal environment department spokesman Luke Bond said this was a good result for Australia’s environment.
“This fine shows that people who break our wildlife protection laws will be dealt with seriously.
“These laws are in place to protect our wildlife and environment, to which exotic snakes pose a serious threat,’’ he said.
Mr Bond said they kill and compete with our native wildlife for food or habitat.
“They can also introduce diseases for which our native reptiles have no immunity.
“And it encourages the illegal wildlife trade, which is an organised and notoriously cruel business,’’ he said.
“Smuggled animals suffer stress, dehydration, or starvation, and may die in transit.’‘
Earlier this year, a joint investigation by federal and NSW environment authorities led to the seizure of illegal exotic snakes including corns snakes, king snakes and a boa constrictor.
The maximum penalty for keeping exotic snakes is a $110,000 fine or five years gaol.
For more information about wildlife and wildlife product trade go to www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/exoticanimalguide/list.html.
