Someone tried to smuggle a plethora of reptiles and tarantulas into Australia.
Australia has a reputation for being home to an astounding number of wild creatures that can kill you, and, clearly, the last thing the country needs is more of them.
Nonetheless, somebody tried to do exactly that.
The Australian Border Force intercepted a package containing various reptiles, some venomous, and large spiders on March 14th.
It had been sent from northern Europe and was labeled, “2 pair shoes.” An X-ray revealed the box contained no such thing.
Instead, there were 3 royal pythons, 2 hognose snakes, 6 vipers, 9 tarantulas, and 4 scorpions.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources notes all, “pose a high biosecurity risk to Australia because they can carry pests and diseases that aren’t present here, potentially affecting our human, animal and plant health, along with our agricultural industries.”
