Australian officials seize 100,000 illegal cockroaches in record bust
9 reported
Australian officials confiscated more than 100,000 live cockroaches from a single breeder in May, marking the country’s largest-ever seizure of exotic invertebrates, officials said Friday. The haul, consisting of Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dubia cockroaches, was valued at 200,000 Australian dollars ($142,000) and seized from a commercial breeder in Bathurst, New South Wales. Both species are illegal to import, keep, breed, or sell in Australia, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. The Madagascar hissing cockroach, one of the world’s largest, measures 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) in length, significantly larger than the common Australian cockroach. A local snake catcher suggested the insects were likely sold as reptile food due to their size. Officials warned of prosecutions for those caught with the invertebrates, though no charges were laid against the Bathurst breeder. The seized cockroaches will be euthanized.
What’s reported
More than 100,000 live cockroaches were confiscated in May in Australia’s largest-ever seizure of exotic invertebrates.
The haul included Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dubia cockroaches, valued at 200,000 Australian dollars ($142,000).
The seizure occurred in Bathurst, New South Wales, from a commercial breeder.
Both species are illegal to import, keep, breed, or sell in Australia.
Madagascar hissing cockroaches measure 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) in length.
A Bathurst snake catcher, Stefanie Lesser, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. the insects were likely sold as reptile food.
Officials urged pet owners to use crickets or wood roaches instead.
No charges were laid against the breeder.
The cockroaches will be euthanized.
Key figures
Stefanie Lesser, Bathurst snake catcher (quoted via Australian Broadcasting Corp.)
Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (source of official statements)
Sources: abcnews.com
