$9,000 in fines for wildlife crimes

A Conservation Regulator investigation has resulted in a Melbourne man being prosecuted for illegal wildlife activity, highlighting the serious consequences of such offences.

In the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court this month, a Melbourne man was fined a total of $9,000 without conviction after pleading guilty to illegal wildlife trade, fraud and animal cruelty offences.

The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to 10 charges under the Crimes Act 1958, the Wildlife Act 1975,the Wildlife Regulations 2024and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

Between December 2023 and September 2024, the man falsely claimed that he held an advanced wildlife licence to obtain approximately 50 reptiles across Victoria and interstate jurisdictions.

The man used details of a wildlife licence belonging to someone else and fake details of two licences he claimed to hold to obtain blue-tongued lizards, Boyd’s forest dragons, central netted dragons, desert skinks, and a monitor lizard.

Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers executed a search warrant at a Springvale commercial premise in June 2025, where officers found native reptiles housed in poor conditions, without appropriate ultraviolet lighting or temperature settings to meet their welfare needs.

Authorised Officers also discovered an albino olive python with significant burns that had not received appropriate care. The snake was seized and taken to a vet for treatment.

In sentencing, the Magistrate noted the man had showed a disregard for Victoria’s wildlife licensing laws. The Magistrate also emphasised that people who own animals have a responsibility to provide proper care.

The man was identified during Operation Pike, a major investigation by the Conservation Regulator into the illegal import, export, and trade of wildlife in Victoria, with assistance from Victoria Police and the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

All wildlife in Victoria is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is illegal to import, export, and trade animals without authorisation.

Anyone with information about wildlife crime, including the use of a false or misused licence, can make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or online.

Quotes attributable to Manager Wildlife Crime and Intelligence, Steph Andreata:

“Illegal wildlife trade harms animals and undermines the systems designed to protect them, it will not be tolerated.”

"The Conservation Regulator will continue to target offenders and work with partners to shut down wildlife crime.”