Student spider smuggler hit with massive fine in Australia for trafficking wildlife
Chinese national Zhang Qiran, 22, pleaded guilty after 125 native spiders and insects were found in his luggage at Sydney airport
An international student has been fined A$35,000 (US$22,700) after he was caught trying to smuggle 125 spiders and insects out of Australia, as the country continues to crack down on a growing illegal wildlife trade with links to organised crime.
Australian Border Force officers detained Zhang Qiran, a 22-year-old Chinese national, at Sydney International Airport on January 26 after they found 34 packages hidden inside his checked-in and carry-on luggage, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEW) said on Monday.
Packed inside were 125 spiders and insects – including carabid beetles, a giant rainforest centipede, a banded desert centipede, banded huntsman spiders and an atlas rainforest beetle. Of those, 76 were regulated native species.
“Shanghai, 2000” was written on one of the containers, possibly indicating the destination and sale value, 7 News reported.
The insects that were still alive were sent to Taronga Wildlife Hospital for care and identification. It is not known how many lived – according to DCCEW, “sadly, many insects don’t survive illegal trade”.
“Protecting our native species and their habitats is important for Australia to remain one of the most biodiverse countries on earth,” DCCEW said.