A Delahey resident was slapped with a $1628 fine after Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) workers found a snapping turtle in their home, which is classified as an exotic pest animal in Australia.
DEECA officers executed a search warrant on the residential property on July 2, seizing a 12 kg, 84cm long female common snapping turtle.
Common snapping turtles are native in the south-east of the United States of America, and have a powerful bite that can inflict serious injury if they are threatened or provoked.
The source of the snapping turtle is part of another ongoing investigation.
The discovery was made as part of operation DJANGO, which is a joint initiative between Agriculture Victoria, and the Conservation Regulator, supported by Crime Stoppers Victoria, to crack down on exotic animal trade.
Operation DJANGO project manager Adam Kay said that while convictions like this help protect Victoria’s biosecurity system, they also are an essential deterrence for future would-be offenders.
“Operation DJANGO is about ensuring the public is aware of the risks created by illegal animal traders,” Mr Kay said.
“We remain committed to working closely across government to identify and address illegal animal trade, ensuring appropriate action is taken where necessary.”
As part of the operation, a south-east Melbourne man who was seeking to breed chameleons was also convicted of two counts of keeping a controlled pest animal.
Wildlife trafficking is the fourth-largest organised crime globally, worth over $450 billion a year, according to the Wildlife Crime Research Hub.
