A massive collection of 3,404 eggs has been seized in Australia as part of a European operation targeting the illegal bird trade. The haul, estimated to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, was discovered at a property in Granton, Tasmania. While a 62-year-old man is being investigated, no arrests have been made yet.
The eggs, all blown or hollowed out, are believed to include rare and threatened species facing a high risk of extinction, such as the forty-spotted pardalote, swift parrot, and shy albatross. The investigation is ongoing to confirm the species they belong to.
This seizure is part of a larger crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, which is estimated to be worth billions of dollars globally. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to protect endangered plants and animals from international trade, with more than 180 countries, including Australia, agreeing to its terms.
The illegal trafficking of wildlife poses a significant threat to species already at risk of extinction. Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, emphasized the importance of stamping out this trade to protect native animals from being captured and sold overseas.
The possession, export, or interference with threatened and migratory birds can carry hefty penalties, including imprisonment and fines. Authorities are working diligently to crack down on this illegal trade and protect vulnerable species from further harm.
