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Titel: THE AGE (Melbourne, Australia) Killer turtles seized along with illegal weapons Bericht door: schildpaddennetcrew op 5 Augustus 2008, 10:58:42 THE AGE (Melbourne, Australia) 19 March 06 Killer turtles seized along with illegal weapons (Mark Russell)
Customs officers have raided a Pascoe Vale house and seized three red-eared slider turtles illegally imported from the US. The turtles are considered an enemy to the Australian environment, on a par with the cane toad and the European carp. The customs raid followed the interception of an air cargo package in Sydney last month bound for a Melbourne address, which contained prohibited imports including butterfly knives, slingshots with arm braces, and a flick knife. A customs spokesman said officers involved in the raid had seized a crossbow and the turtles, which are native to the United States. A 37-year-old man has been interviewed but not charged. The maximum penalty for importing prohibited weapons is $275,000 and 10 years' jail. Illegal exotic reptile importers face fines of up to $110,000 and five years' jail. Red-eared slider turtles grow to about 30 centimetres and have dangerous claws, prey on native species and can spread disease. They are a freshwater turtle with a red stripe behind each eye and, unlike native turtles, can retract their heads straight back into their shells. Native species withdraw their heads to the side. http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/killer-turtles-seized-along-with-illegal-weapons/2006/03/18/1142582577842.html |