Native fauna is being traded over social media sites, forcing Queensland wildlife officers to monitor the internet as part of a crackdown on the illegal trade in the state’s fauna.
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Environment minister Andrew Powell said snakes, turtles, geckos and birds were the most popular creatures on the black market, with more than 200 animals seized during raids over the past two years.
“Last year a Brisbane man was caught with 40 protected turtles at his home and fined $9500,” he said.
“Not only was it illegal to have taken and kept the turtles, but they were in an inadequate sized fish tank that was clogged with fecal matter, skin cells and rotten meat.”
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection wildlife officer Cameron Wregg said the health of rescued animals varied.
“We have seen animals that have been in a very poor condition that have had to be euthanased, to animals that are in a fairly good condition but have not been kept with the appropriate licensing and permits,” he said.
”We’ve seen some very emaciated animals, dehydrated animals, animals that have been taken from the wild with hooks and the like, and those hooks have still been found in the animals which have had to be later surgically operated on.”
Mr Powell said social media and buy/sell/swap websites had allowed the illegal trade to blossom, and encouraged so-called “designer” species, most common in snakes, where colour mutations such as albinism were highly sought after.
“A new focus will be the illegal practice of cross breeding different species to create hybrids,” he said.
“Scientists have advised this poses a real risk to conservation if animals were to escape and establish themselves in the wild.”
Mr Powell said venomous snakes were also often found in criminal hideouts being used to protect drug stashes, and in many cases were unable to be rehabilitated.
Mr Wregg said exotic species were reported immediately to Customs, but EHP officers also came across domestic species released into the wrong areas.
“It’s potentially catastrophic for animals to be released into areas that aren’t their natural habitat,” Mr Wregg said.
“These animals can also pose a disease risk if coming from captive areas that are not kept in the best condition.”
