Over one lakh live exotic breed of cockroaches confiscated in Australia, kingpin arrested
PTC News Desk: More than 100,000 live cockroaches illegal cockroaches illegal to keep in Australia were confiscated from a single breeder in the country's largest-ever seizure of exotic invertebrates, officials said Friday.
Australian authorities have seized hundreds of illegal exotic cockroaches worth an estimated 200,000 Australian dollars (about $142,000) from a commercial breeder in Bathurst, New South Wales, in a major biosecurity enforcement action.
The consignment, confiscated in May by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, included Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dubia cockroaches—species that are prohibited in Australia. Officials said the insects cannot legally be imported, kept, bred or sold under any circumstances.
The Madagascar hissing cockroach is among the largest cockroach species in the world, growing between 5 and 8 centimetres in length. Images released by authorities showed the shiny brown insects dwarfing the size of Australia's common cockroach species, which typically measure between 2.3 and 3.6 centimetres long.
Experts believe the exotic insects were likely being sold as reptile feed. Bathurst snake catcher Stefanie Lesser told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that their large size made them a cost-effective food source because fewer insects were needed to feed reptiles. Authorities have instead urged pet owners to use legal alternatives such as crickets or wood roaches.
Australia maintains some of the world's strictest biosecurity regulations to protect its agriculture, horticulture and native wildlife from invasive species and disease. Officials warned that exotic cockroaches have not undergone environmental risk assessments and could potentially spread disease or harm local ecosystems.
The department said individuals caught possessing or trafficking prohibited species could face prosecution and substantial fines. However, a spokesperson confirmed that no charges were filed against the Bathurst breeder in this case.
The seized cockroaches will be euthanised, authorities said, as part of efforts to prevent the species from entering the environment.
- With inputs from agencies
