SUNDAY TELEGRAPH (Sydney, Australia) 17 November 06 Man fined $1500 for 36 dead reptiles in Darwin flat
A man who kept 36 dead reptiles in his Darwin flat was fined $1500 yesterday.
Brodie Wilson, 19, was suffering from depression when wildlife rangers raided his Nightcliff unit on February 1, Darwin Magistrates Court heard.
The raid found dead pythons, venomous snakes and goannas kept in boxes, a bin and a freezer, a precis tendered in court said.
The court heard police entered the unlocked unit on Grevillea Circuit to investigate a strong smell.
They then called Parks and Wildlife senior officer Ray Chatto, who found 44 animals in the unit. Only eight were still alive.
The collection included dead king brown snakes, a frozen frill-necked lizard, a deceased death adder and a live carpet python.
Defence lawyer Alan Woodcock said Wilson had struggled to cope with the death of a friend in a car accident in 2003. Wilson had moved out of home and depression had affected his ability to properly care for his animals, Mr Woodcock said.
Wilson got a permit in 2004 to care for protected wildlife but it expired last year.
Wilson was charged with two counts of possessing protected wildlife without authority and neglecting animals. Wilson pleaded guilty.
Magistrate Greg Cavanagh gave Wilson an aggregate fine of $1500 and ordered him to pay $80 in victims' levies.
Man fined $1500 for 36 dead reptiles in Darwin flat