TWO Goulburn Valley men have been convicted and fined over the possession of protected and threatened wildlife.
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They were apprehended by Department of Environment and Primary Industries officers with two threatened Major Mitchell cockatoos, three eastern water dragons and a spotted python.
The department has issued a warning about people possessing protected wildlife without the appropriate permits.
Officers have recently apprehended others in the North East for similar offences and say such matters have a high priority.
The two cases were heard in Shepparton Magistrates Court last week.
A Mooroopna man was charged under the Wildlife Act 1975 and was fined $2000 for having the cockatoos and water dragons. The fine was imposed in his absence.
The two protected species were located during the execution of a search warrant at a house in Mooroopna last August.
DEPI’s senior compliance officer, Gary Dash, said: “The man had not renewed his wildlife licence since 2008.
“It is a timely reminder that all wildlife licences need to be renewed in September each year.”
“The maximum penalty for illegally possessing protected wildlife is $7218 and/or six months imprisonment.”
Mr Dash said the maximum penalty for possessing threatened species of wildlife is $34,646 and/or 24 months jail.
Meanwhile, in the second case, a Numurkah man has been ordered to pay $800 and forfeit his pet spotted python.