student Faces $35,000 Fine for Illegal Insect Export
A university student, Qiran Zhang, has been fined $35,000 after being caught attempting to export 125 insects and spiders from Australia without the required permits. Zhang was intercepted at Sydney International Airport, where a search of his luggage revealed the collection of specimens.
The smuggled wildlife included a variety of species,such as a carabid beetle,a giant rainforest centipede,a banded desert centipede,banded huntsman spiders,and an atlas rainforest beetle. Authorities determined that up to 76 of the specimens were native, regulated species.
Exporting native wildlife from Australia without a permit is a violation of the Surroundings Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Penalties for such offenses can include imprisonment for up to 10 years, a fine of up to $330,000, or both.
Zhang pleaded guilty to all charges and was subsequently convicted and fined $35,000. the live insects and spiders recovered were transferred to Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney for assessment and care.
While the survival rate of the smuggled creatures remains unkown, the Australian Department of Environment emphasized the low survival rates typically associated with the illegal wildlife trade. The department highlighted the importance of utilizing legal export pathways, stating they “protect animal welfare, support ethical supply chains, and reduce demand for black market trade.”
