Nichols Point man guilty of wildlife crimes

A 38-year-old man from Victoria’s northwest has been ordered to pay $5,600 after pleading guilty to three charges related to wildlife cruelty and the illegal possession of an endangered Murray Darling Carpet Python.

The man from Nichols Point faced the Mildura Magistrates Court on Tuesday 11 April and was fined $1,000 for offences under the Wildlife Act 1975, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, and the Wildlife Regulations 2013, and ordered to pay $4,600 to cover the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s legal costs.

In sentencing, Magistrate Kelly also ordered the man to forfeit the python to the Department for rehoming.

The fine follows a Conservation Regulator investigation last year, after the man’s landlord found the snake at his rental property which was being kept in poor conditions inside an enclosure filled with faeces and no drinking water.

Authorised Officers also found the man did not have a Private Wildlife Licence to keep the Murray Darling Carpet Python, which is required under the Wildlife Act 1975.

It is the responsibility of Victorians to understand their obligations before keeping native Australian wildlife as pets, including acquiring a licence for certain species, only buying from a licenced breeder, and maintaining appropriate living conditions for the animal’s welfare.

For more information, read the Private wildlife licences webpage.

The community can report any information about wildlife crimes or illegal wildlife possession to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.

Housing native wildlife in poor conditions is unacceptable and this result should remind anyone thinking about keeping a native reptile as a pet to do their research beforehand, apply for the right licence, and ensure they can provide appropriate living conditions.

We rely on information from the community to help us identify and solve wildlife crimes like these and encourage the public to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria and report any illegal or suspicious behaviour around wildlife.