Grim border seizures to aid research into illegal wildlife trade

In the basement of a government building in Canberra, a stone's throw from Parliament House, there is a locked room filled with macabre souvenirs and trophies.

Lining the shelves – an armadillo mandolin, a small monkey paw, and tins labelled as bear and whale meat.

There are orangutan skulls, animal skins, elephant feet and tusks, and musical instruments made from sea turtles.

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These banned items were seized at the border by officials from the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.

Some of them will soon be used to aid research into the multi-billion-dollar illegal wildlife trade – and it's hoped they will also help authorities prosecute future animal trafficking cases.

The Federal Government is donating 200 items to the Australian Museum in Sydney for science and education.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley told 9News that such items "go hand in hand with a very evil trade" – often with global links to organised crime.

"But some good is coming from these seized products," she said.

"(Scientists) can examine these, they can learn from them, they can carry out tests and, in some cases, inform our scientific endeavour, which seeks to protect animals internationally."

Australian Museum Chief Scientist Professor Kris Helgen told 9News the donated items will be included in a reference collection of more than 20 million objects, used by scientists from around the world.

He said they would not only be used for research, but could also play a role in helping Australian and international authorities crack down on poaching and trafficking.

"Some of that reference material gets used by our scientists for things like prosecuting animal wildlife trafficking cases," Professor Helgen said.

"When the government seizes material and it might be involved in a sting operation or a seizure to stop wildlife trafficking from coming into this country – or coming out of this country – they'll often come to us to help identify material."

Scientists could also use DNA and chemistry to pinpoint where exactly the animals were hunted, and where the products were sent from.

"That information goes directly back to managers and law enforcement that need to clamp down in certain areas," Professor Helgen said.

In Australia, the maximum penalty for wildlife trade offences is 10 years in jail and a $222,000 fine for individuals.

The Federal Government has recently nominated an extra 125 animals to be added to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Products from animals on this list cannot be brought into Australia without a permit from the federal government.

"Internationally, this Convention acts to protect the animals and prevent that trade," Ms Ley said.

"It's just so important we work hard with partner nations to prevent the smuggling of our precious wildlife."