Wildlife officials in Australia have seized more than 100,000 illegal cockroaches in a raid on a commercial breeder in New South Wales state.
Officials said the goods, worth an estimated $142,000 (€122,000) on the black market, included Madagascar hissing cockroaches and Dubia cockroaches. Both species are illegal to import, possess, breed or sell under Australian law.
The raid took place in May in Bathurst, a rural town about 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of Sydney. Officials said it was the largest ever seizure of illegal foreign insects in the country.
The Madagascar hissing species, one of the largest cockroaches in the world, can grow to 5 to 7.5 centimeters (2 to 3 in) in length – much larger than the common Australian cockroach, which can reach 3.6 centimeters.
Cockroaches are used as food for pet lizards
Australia has implemented some of the world’s strictest biosecurity measures across its borders to protect its unique wildlife and agricultural areas from invasive species and diseases. Those caught trying to smuggle illegal plants, insects or animals may have to pay heavy fines.
A Department of the Environment spokesperson said, “We take our work to protect Australia’s unique biodiversity and breaches of national environment law very seriously.”
Officials said they have observed illegal breeding and trade of exotic cockroaches to be used as food for pet reptiles. He urged pet owners to use crickets and wood cockroaches instead.
The department said the seized insects would be euthanized.
Edited by Dmytro Lyubenko
Don’t let algorithms hide news. If you rely on our team for reliable reporting, please take a moment Select us as your favorite source on Google by clicking here and pressing the “Star” or “Favorite” buttonThat’s why you’ll always see our verified news first.