NORTHERN TERRITORY NEWS (Darwin, Australia) 27 December 09 Exotic snakes stopped from slithering south via air freight (Nadja Hainke)

A Territorian has been busted for allegedly illegally posting two live snakes by air freight.

Parks and Wildlife Service officers seized the exotic jungle carpet pythons - which were bound for Sydney - at Darwin airport yesterday.

The non-venomous animals, which are valued at about $500 each, measured between 50cm and 1m long.

They are generally found in the Queensland rainforest.

Parks and Wildlife officers were informed about the allegedly illegal shipment about 2pm yesterday.

They immediately seized the two animals.

Senior ranger Peter Phillips said the snakes were posted in a labelled box - but failed to include proper permits.

He said Parks and Wildlife were now investigating whether the offence was deliberate.

"It's important that people understand that wildlife is protected under law and when exporting and importing protected wildlife is done illegally, people are in for a large fine and possibly imprisonment," Mr Phillips said.

"All native animals in the Northern Territory are protected and you need a permit to export or import them."

If found guilty, the sender could find himself in prison.

Darwin reptile handler Chris Peberdy hailed the efforts of the officers yesterday.

He said: "Parks and Wildlife should be commended of their actions as non-native reptiles entering the Territory without the proper permits and checks can pose potential bio-security risks to our local flora and fauna."
Exotic snakes stopped from slithering south via air freight

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