Melbourne: A package that arrived at Melbourne’s international mail facility labelled “mixed powder” has been found to contain 13 live snakes. Scans of the package aroused suspicion and when biosecurity officers opened it, they found the animals.
A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture said it was too early to say what species the snakes were, but tests were being carried out to identify them. They varied in size, with the largest almost 60cm long. All of the snakes were euthanised, because any live animal imported into Australia poses a high biosecurity risk, the department’s head of pathway compliance, Nicola Hinder, said.
The snakes could potentially carry pests and diseases that could affect agricultural industries, health and the environment, she said.
“This detection of concealed and illegally imported snakes, sent from Indonesia, is a clear attempt to get around the rules that are in place to protect us all,” Hinder said. “Where we find intentional non-compliance like this we investigate and seek to apply the full force of the law.” Hinder said it appeared the snakes may have been illegally imported to either be sold as pets or used to establish breeding stock.
“I want to warn those involved in this failed importation, or thinking about using the mail to bring in animals, that we aim to find you and hold you to account,” she said. “I also want to encourage anyone who is thinking of buying an exotic pet, like a snake, to ensure they are provided proof of the provenance of the animal so they are not inadvertently supporting this cruel trade.
“It’s obvious anyone who claims to be an animal lover and conceals reptiles, or any other animal, in small packages and sends them through the mail does not have the best interests of the animals or Australia at heart.”
Australia receives about 186 million international mail items each year which are screened. Last week, the department revealed officers seized nearly 260,000 items of biosecurity concern from air passengers alone travelling to Australia in 2013-14, resulting in fines totalling $860,540 (Dh3.1 million.) Hinder said security staff used a combination of science, risk analysis and body language to target suspect passengers who might be bringing in prohibited items undeclared.
