Lizard smuggler jailed after toy discovery

A Chinese national who tried to smuggle lizards in chip containers and children's toys from Australia to Hong Kong has been jailed.

King Chuen Chong was handed a 15-month prison sentence at NSW District Court after pleading guilty to eight charges of attempting to export regulated native specimens.

Chong is said to have made multiple attempts to smuggle live native lizards out of Australia, lodging 11 parcels containing the lizards at various Australian Post outlets between August and September 2018.

The parcels, in which the lizards were hidden in chip tubes and children's toys, were intercepted at the Sydney Gateway Facility, the federal environment department said.

The reptiles, all regulated native specimens in Australia, included Shingleback lizards, Blue-Tongue lizards, Spiny Tail skinks, Gidgee skinks, Western Slender Tail Blue Tongue lizards and Geckos.

"Native Australian reptiles such as lizards and snakes are highly sought after overseas and the illegal trade in wildlife is one of the largest illegal trades in the world," said Monica Collins, head of the department's office of compliance.

"What cannot be quantified with illegal international wildlife trafficking is the damage that the world-wide demand for wildlife products has on biodiversity, and the animals themselves, often transported in conditions that are stressful, very cruel and often fatal."