In a significant breakthrough following a European-led investigation into the illegal bird trade, authorities in Australia have seized a collection of 3,404 bird eggs from a property in Granton, Tasmania. The operation, carried out on July 9, uncovered the hoard, which is estimated to be valued between A$400,000 and A$500,000 (£207,000 – £259,000). The eggs, which had been hollowed out and thus only held ornamental value, were discovered during the investigation.
A 62-year-old man has been identified as a suspect, although no arrests have been made at this time. Officials have indicated that the individual will likely face charges under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. According to a spokesperson from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the suspect is alleged to have been involved in the collection and trading of both Australian native and internationally protected bird eggs.
This operation underscores the growing concern over environmental and wildlife crime, which has become one of the most lucrative and expanding sectors of global crime. Such activities pose a significant threat to biodiversity, pushing many species to the brink of extinction. The eggs seized in Tasmania are believed to include those of rare and threatened species, such as the forty-spotted pardalote, swift parrot, and shy albatross. These species are at high risk of extinction and are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement aimed at safeguarding endangered plants and animals from international trade.
The seized eggs are currently undergoing analysis to confirm their species. This collection’s extensive nature, all containing blown or hollowed eggs, suggests the involvement of highly skilled operators who have amassed these specimens over many years. This type of egg collecting, as noted by Tasmanian ecologist Dr. Sally Bryant, is likely more prevalent than commonly realized. Dr. Bryant described the practice as outdated and ethically, morally, and legally corrupt.
In Europe, authorities initiated an investigation in 2023 focusing on the illegal harvesting, collecting, trading, buying, and selling of bird eggs. This extensive operation resulted in the seizure of over 56,000 eggs. The scale of these seizures highlights the vast and profitable nature of the illegal wildlife trade, which CITES estimates to be worth billions of dollars annually. This trade involves a wide range of wildlife, from live animals to products derived from them. Currently, more than 40,000 species are protected under CITES, with over 180 countries, including Australia, being signatories to the agreement.
The penalties for interfering with threatened and migratory birds in Australia are severe, including up to seven years of imprisonment and fines up to A$138,600, or both. The illegal export of native specimens or those listed under CITES can result in a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and fines of A$330,000, or both. Possessing CITES-listed specimens carries a penalty of five years imprisonment and fines of A$330,000, or both.
Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, emphasized the urgent need to combat wildlife crime. She highlighted that illegal trafficking poses a growing threat to many species already facing the risk of extinction. Plibersek asserted that it is imperative to eradicate this illegal trade, which results in native animals being captured in the Australian bush and sold overseas.
The recent seizure in Tasmania not only exposes the extent of illegal wildlife trafficking but also underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing this pervasive issue. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against those who exploit vulnerable species for profit, threatening global biodiversity and ecological balance.
