HERALD SUN (Melbourne, Australia) 20 December 06 $6000 fine for toad invasion (Wayne Flower)

A man has been convicted and fined $6000 for bringing four cane toads and a black-headed python into Victoria from the Northern Territory.

Gary Vredenburg, 49, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court yesterday to one charge each of both keeping and importing controlled pest animals and keeping protected wildlife.

Department of Sustainability and Environment officers and police raided Vredenburg's home on September 6 this year, seizing the four toads and a metre-long native black-headed python.

Vredenburg was not licensed to keep native wildlife.

Speaking outside court, DSE senior wildlife investigator Keith Larner said the illegal introduction to Victoria of interstate pest animals, such as cane toads and native snakes, was a very serious offence.

"Cane toads pose a significant risk to Australia's biodiversity, and we rely heavily on the public to help us protect our native flora and fauna," he said.

"Cane toads are prolific breeders and it takes only one pair to wreak havoc."

Vredenburg's conviction was the first of its kind for the illegal introduction of cane toads into Victoria.

Offenders face fines of up to $24,000 and two years' jail for bringing cane toads and protected wildlife into Victoria. The toads were destroyed.

Anyone with information on other illegally kept animals or exotic reptiles should phone the DSE on 136 186.
$6000 fine for toad invasion

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