Thousands of endangered bird eggs worth $500,000 seized in Australia

3,404 eggs have been found in Australia as a result of an investigation into the illegal animal industry by Europe.

Researchers discovered the haul- believed to be fair$ 400,000 to$ 500,000 ( £207,000- £259,000 )- at a house in Granton, Tasmania on 9 July.

Because the eggs had just elegant value, they had been blown out or hollowed out.

A 62-year-old guy was being investigated but no prosecutions had been made, according to authorities.

Environmental and wildlife crime has become one of the world’s largest and most profitable crime sectors and continues to grow as it pushes many species to the brink of extinction.

The American think is anticipated to show up in court in court at a later time for crimes against the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.

According to a statement from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW),” [the man ] is alleged to have been involved in the selection and planting of birds eggs from the wild and the trading of both American indigenous and CITES-listed birds eggs with persons abroad.”

A species that is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES ), an international agreement between governments that aims to protect endangered plants and animals from international trade, is referred to as a CITES-listed species.

The eggs are currently being examined to determine what types they belong to, but they are thought to contain unique and threatened species with a high risk of extinction.

Researchers believe they include egg from the forty-spotted pardalote, which is found just on Tasmania’s Bruny Island, the sharp bird and the quiet animal.

The egg bright and egg in this series were all blown or hollow, which indicated that they had been taken out.

In 2023, German government launched an investigation in relation to the improper planting, collecting, trading, buying and selling of birds eggs within Europe and abroad.

More than 56,000 eggs were discovered as a result of a number of search warrants being issued.

International wildlife trade, according to CITES, includes everything from live animals to products made from them.

More than 40,000 species are covered by the agreement, with more than 180 countries agreeing, including Australia.

Dr. Sally Bryant, a tasmanian ecologist, claimed that egg collection “was probably happening more than any of us realize.”

She said:” We are well aware of these sorts of activities, but they’re very, very outdated — they are morally, ethically, legally corrupt. “

Collections of this size were put together by “skilled operators” over “many years”, she added.

The interference of threatened and migratory birds can carry a penalty of seven years imprisonment, a fine of$ 138,600 or both.

The export of Australian native specimens, including eggs, and the export or import of specimens, including eggs, on the CITES list has a maximum penalty of 10 years ‘ imprisonment, a fine$ 330,000, or both.

The possession of CITES-listed specimens, including eggs, can carry a penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of$ 330,000 or both.

The Minister for Environment and Water, Tarya Plibersek, stated:” Many of our species are already at risk of extinction, and illegal trafficking and wildlife crime is fast becoming a threat.”

We must stop this terrible trade that results in the capture of our native animals in the Australian bush and their export to other countries. “