Record bust seizes more than 100,000 exotic cockroaches
More than 100,000 cockroaches have been seized from a single breeder in Australia’s largest ever illegal exotic invertebrate bust.
Dubia and Madagascar hissing cockroaches were among those seized from a commercial breeder in Bathurst in central-western NSW.
Exotic cockroaches, which are illegal to import, possess, breed or sell in Australia, have an estimated value of up to $200,000.
This represents Australia’s largest ever illegal seizure of exotic invertebrates, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEW).
“We take our job of protecting Australia’s unique biodiversity and breaches of national environmental law very seriously,” a department spokesman said. “We are seeing illegal breeding and trading of exotic cockroaches and are warning pet businesses and pet owners.”
Images shared by the department show the creatures stretching across a trunk and a single cockroach almost the size of a palm.
Authorities fear exotic cockroaches, which have not been subject to environmental risk assessment, could spread disease and harm local wildlife and agriculture.
Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth said the discovery was shocking and raised questions about the scale of Australia’s illegal exotic wildlife market.
“Unfortunately, there is a global trend in keeping exotic invertebrates, including invasive ant species, as pets,” Dr Booth said in a statement. he said.
“Biosafety authorities should pay close attention to this new pathway emerging.
“Given the risks to our native wildlife, these crimes deserve severe penalties, but most such crimes attract only low sentences.”
A DCCEEW spokesman said offenders would be punished.
Only species on the live import list can be legally imported into Australia.
“If you are found to be possessing, breeding or trading exotic cockroaches, such as Dubia cockroaches and Madagascar hissing cockroaches, they will be seized and you may face penalties under federal law,” the spokesperson said.
“Reptile owners who use Dubia cockroaches as feeders are encouraged to seek legal alternatives such as crickets and wood cockroaches.”
The seized cockroaches will be euthanized and destroyed by the NSW primary industries department.
