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Record cockroach seizure
More than 100,000 live cockroaches illegal to keep in Australia were confiscated from a single breeder in Australia’s country’s largest-ever seizure of exotic invertebrates, officials said Friday.
“Australian cockroach kingpin caught with 100,000 illegal insects in record bug bust Australian cockroach kingpin caught with 100,000 illegal insects in record bug bust WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — More than 100,000 live cockroaches illegal to keep in Australia were confiscated from a single breeder in the country’s largest-ever seizure of exotic invertebrates, officials said Friday”
The haul of Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dubia cockroaches, worth 200,000 Australian dollars ($142,000), was seized in May from a commercial breeder in the city of Bathurst in New South Wales state, according to Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.
The Madagascar hissing species is one of the world’s biggest cockroaches, measuring 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) in length, and photos released by the department showed a shiny, brown invertebrate larger than a person’s finger.
Officials said both Madagascar hissing and dubia cockroaches are illegal to import into Australia, and they “can’t be legally kept, bred or sold no matter how they were obtained.”
Why they were targeted
Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water said the cockroaches “have not been subject to an environmental risk assessment” and they could spread disease or harm native wildlife.
The department said Australia has strict biosecurity controls at its borders to protect its agriculture and horticulture sectors and native wildlife from pest infestations.
Bathurst snake catcher Stefanie Lesser told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that the larger exotic species were likely being sold as a cost-effective reptile food because their large size meant fewer insects were needed.
Officials urged pet owners to seek out crickets or wood roaches to feed their lizards instead, while warning of prosecutions against those caught with the invertebrates.
Charges and next steps
A spokesperson said charges weren’t laid against the Bathurst breeder, even as officials warned of prosecutions against those caught with the invertebrates.
“More than 100,000 live cockroaches, possession of which is illegal in Australia, were seized from a single breeder as part of the country’s largest seizure of exotic invertebrates ever carried out, authorities announced on Friday”
The department said those smuggling in undeclared or illegal animal, insect or plant material can be fined thousands of dollars, and it described the seizure as part of Australia’s largest-ever haul of exotic invertebrates.
Officials said the cockroaches seized would be euthanized, and the department released photos showing the shiny, brown invertebrate larger than a person’s finger.
The seizure was carried out in May from a commercial breeder in Bathurst, New South Wales, and the department’s statement tied the enforcement to protecting native wildlife from pest infestations.
