Man charged after menagerie of exotic reptiles seized at home

A New South Wales man faces up to five years in prison after authorities uncovered a massive illegal menagerie of 44 exotic reptiles kept in tanks and terrariums inside his home.

The raid, conducted by the National Environmental Protection Agency (National EPA) alongside NSW Police, netted an array of venomous snakes, constrictors, tortoises, turtles, and iguanas.

The haul included endangered species protected under international law, such as Burmese pythons, boa constrictors, ball pythons, Hermann's tortoises, red-footed tortoises, and green iguanas. 

Officers also seized species known globally as aggressive invasive pests, including pit vipers, Californian kingsnakes, corn snakes, and red-eared slider turtles.

Under Commonwealth environmental legislation, keeping protected animals without a permit carries severe penalties, including fines of up to $364,000 and five years' imprisonment. 

It is also illegal to possess any species not included on the Commonwealth Live Import List, as well as any offspring bred from unlawfully imported stock.

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National EPA Head of Compliance and Enforcement Dani Yannopoulos warned that holding illicit animals – even without having imported them personally - was a serious crime.

“Anyone who unlawfully keeps exotic wildlife as pets could find themselves charged and in court facing serious consequences,” Yannopoulos said.

“Imported animals such as snakes and turtles can pose a threat to Australia’s precious wildlife and can have a devastating impact on our biodiversity.   

The EPA was working actively with the Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, Australia Post, and state law enforcement to dismantle illegal wildlife trafficking networks, she said.