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Latrobe Valley Hands In First Exotic Reptile During National Amnesty

On Wednesday March 31, an exotic reptile called a 'Red-eared Slider Turtle' was handed into a Dept of Sustainability and Environment Wildlife Officer in Traralgon, under the terms of the National Exotic Reptile Amnesty, which is currently in place.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 6th April 2004 - Back to News

DSE Wildlife Officer Anthony Ball said that this was the first exotic reptile in Victoria to be handed in under the nationwide Amnesty.

"Some of the animals which we expect to get handed in include Iguanas, Boa constrictors, Cornsnakes, Turtles and even some poisonous snakes such as Rattlesnakes, Vipers and Cobras."

The owner of the Red-eared Slider Turtle voluntarily contacted the Amnesty Hotline (1800 684 447), so they will not face charges for their possession of an illegally imported specimen.

Mr Ball said that one reason that people are not permitted to keep illegally imported species is that some of them can carry diseases which would be devastating to Australian native animals.

"Boa constrictors have been known to carry a disease called Inclusion Body Disease, which is invariably fatal if contracted by our native Carpet Pythons," he said.

Another reason for not allowing exotic animals in the country is the impact they can have on the food chain within Australia’s environment. The Cane Toad is an example, with the full potential for impact on our native wildlife only just being realised.

Under the terms of the Amnesty, people may hand in their exotic reptiles without the threat of being prosecuted under either state or federal law. If they don’t hand them in during the Amnesty, they will be subject to the severe penalties available for breaches of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. People handing in exotics can remain fully anonymous if they wish.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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