Michael,
Yes, but the chance of this happening is exceptionally low. It is
common knowledge within avicultural circles which species do and do not
occur in Aust. The most likely species to be smuggled into Australia are
(believe it or not) species that already occur here either in very small
numbers or those for which mutations exist OS but not here (novel mutations
can be worth big money). I am aware of just one species of bird that was
almost certainly smuggled into the country before the import ban was lifted
(this species is now established in captivity here, a finch known as
Dybowski's Twinspot). The risk to the 'fanatic fancier' exceeds the usual
(light) sentence and can include the destruction of his/her entire
collection because of the risk of disease (this has happened on several
occasions). We are in a different situation to many northern hemisphere
countries (e.g. the US and UK) were many smuggling stories emanate from.
Because of the total ban on bird imports for so long it is well documented
which species do and do not occur here legally.
Cheers
Rohan
> -----Original Message-----
> From: michael hunter [SMTP:
> Sent: Tuesday, 15 August 2000 10:25
> To: Rohan Clarke
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [BIRDING-AUS] Escapees and northern hemisphere ducks
>
> Thanks for that information Rohan.
> However, just to play
> the Devil's Advocate, I know that some years ago a poultryfarmer was
> prosecuted for bringing in a strain of large-breasted commercial duck's
> eggs
> into the country from the U.S., and I seem to recall that eggs of some of
> our native species, particularly parrots, are picked up by Customs from
> time
> to time being smuggled out of the country. The possibility of illegal,
> unrecorded imports by fanatic fanciers does exist, small though it may be.
> Cheers
> Michael
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