A German man who tried to smuggle native ants and plants out of Australia has been fined $3000.
Gerhard Kalytta, 65, pleaded guilty to attempted illegal export charges when he appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court .
The court heard that on September 7, Kalytta attempted to smuggle more than 3000 ants along with plants and plant material out of Perth International Airport.


Customs officers searching his luggage found 153 plastic packages containing the ants and plants.
Curtin University experts determined the ants were of more than 50 different species including bulldog and greenhead ants whose stings can cause allergic reactions, which in some cases can prove lethal.
Native plants such as lichen, native moss, hornworts, liverworts and an orchid species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) were also seized.
Federal Environment Department spokeswoman Deb Callister said the export of Australian native plants and animals was strictly regulated under national environment law.
"Unregulated trade in wildlife and wildlife products has the potential to damage and reduce Australia's biodiversity through the removal of our native flora and fauna for illegal export," she said.
The maximum penalty for the illegal export of Australian native flora and fauna is a fine of up to $110,000 or up to 10 years in jail, or both.
AAP

Bei allem Ernst vor dem Hintergrund dieser Nachricht kann ich mir ein Schmunzeln trotzdem nicht verkneifen!

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