Home / Crime and Justice / Antiques Dealer Fined $10,000 for Illegal Wildlife Possession
Antiques Dealer Fined $10,000 for Illegal Wildlife Possession
22 Oct
Summary
- Victorian antiques owner fined $10,000 for 13 wildlife charges.
- Over 700 native animals, including protected species, were found.
- Wildlife laws require licenses for possession and trade of species.
A 74-year-old antiques store owner in Victoria has been fined $10,000 after admitting to 13 charges concerning the illegal possession and trade of wildlife. The court heard that authorities discovered over 700 native animals, preserved through taxidermy and stored frozen, across the man's shop and home during a regulatory search last April.
These included numerous birds, reptiles, and mammals, with some belonging to protected and threatened species. The owner lacked the necessary licenses required under Victoria's Wildlife Act 1975 to obtain or possess such animals. Live reptiles were also found in poor conditions, exacerbating the charges.
The conservation regulator emphasized that Victoria's strict wildlife protection laws are crucial for preventing unlawful exploitation and safeguarding biodiversity. Calls have been made to modernize these laws, with critics arguing the fine is insufficient as a deterrent against such extensive offenses.
