western australia

Sending reptiles through the post

@JudyEv (389067)

Rockingham, Australia

July 27, 2026 9:07pm CST

On the news today is the story of a man fined $31,000 for attempting to smuggle 65 reptiles through the post. He trapped the lizards in Western Australia and mailed them to New South Wales. Unfortunately, all but ten either died in transit or had to be put down. The value of the creatures on the black market was estimated to be between $65,000 and $1.3 million and included bobtail lizards, ornate crevice dragons, thorny devils, western blue tongue lizards, geckos and variegated dtella. Some of these I haven’t heard of but we plenty of blue tongue lizards when we lived on our acreage. The photo is mine.

24 people like this

21 responses

@teamfreak16 (47011)

• Denver, Colorado

28 Jul

I wonder if it's the first time he tried it, or did he just finally get caught?

4 people like this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul

Apparently he'd done it successfully before but got caught this time. And now there are semitrailer loads of beehives (complete with bees) heading east to help with the almond harvest but that's all legit.

4 people like this

@teamfreak16 (47011)

• Denver, Colorado

28 Jul

@JudyEv - So basically they slapped him on the wrist. "Now don't do it again."

2 people like this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

@teamfreak16 I guess when the profits are so high, $31,000 doesn't sound like much.

2 people like this

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@Deepizzaguy (125706)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

28 Jul

First time that I have of heard of blue tongued lizards.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

They are quite common here but harmless.

1 person likes this

@Deepizzaguy (125706)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

29 Jul

@JudyEv I would be scared if I saw a blue tongued lizard

1 person likes this

@kareng (83783)

• United States

28 Jul

He should have been fined more. Seems like he had no thoughts to the care of the reptiles during shipment.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

Maybe he'd done it before and they arrived alive. I hope he has learnt a lesson.

2 people like this

@kareng (83783)

• United States

29 Jul

@JudyEv Yes, so do I. Some though have their eye on the moolah though and will do anything to get it.

1 person likes this

@snowy22315 (213400)

• United States

28 Jul

What a cruel thing to do. I am glad he was caught.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

I wish he'd gone to jail. It might have been more of a deterrent than just fining him.

@rebelann (118820)

• El Paso, Texas

28 Jul

That is an interesting lizard, fantastic shot. It's a shame they don't fine a poacher more than just that, they should be locked away where they can't hurt wildlife.

2 people like this

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@rebelann (118820)

• El Paso, Texas

29 Jul

Sorry about that, my comment about 'locked away' was a reference to prison term @JudyEv

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

I think a jail term would be more of a deterrent.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

@rebelann I did understand and was agreeing with you. Hopefully they'll keep an eye on him in future.

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@Wrexxo (8317)

•

28 Jul

People make money doing all kinds of wierd stuffs. That reptile in the photo scares me though

2 people like this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

It looks scary but they're not really dangerous.

@toniganzon (81665)

• Philippines

28 Jul

Such a lucrative thing to do but the risk is too high as well. If he had been doing it for quite some time he must already be rich.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

I don't know if he is rich or not. I guess he is rich enough to pay the fine or he'll go to jail.

1 person likes this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61667)

• United States

30 Jul

That is really horrible!!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Aug

It's just awful that he would do this.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (509487)

• Italy

28 Jul

The Custom Police caught someone at the local Border trying to bring protected animals to Switzerland. That lizard looks scary.

1 person likes this

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@LadyDuck (509487)

• Italy

29 Jul

@JudyEv That for sure was the reason.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

I guess that's why he posted them rather than try to smuggle them across the border.

1 person likes this

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@moffittjc (129777)

• Gainesville, Florida

29 Jul

I wonder how many times he's smuggled reptiles though the post without getting caught? Did the news story mention his wealth or how much money he has made in total through smuggling efforts? I doubt this was the first time he's tried it. Florida has a really bad invasive species problem due to smuggling of animals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. It's well-known that our Burmese python problem was the result of smuggled snakes getting loose in the wild, and apparently we know have Nile monitor lizards, tegus, and other reptiles that have been spotted in the wild. Florida is the perfect climate for many of these non-natives species, and because of them being non-native, they don't have any natural predators to keep their population numbers in check.

1 person likes this

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@moffittjc (129777)

• Gainesville, Florida

6 Aug

@JudyEv We all know how stupid criminals can be, so do you think he really learned his lesson? He’ll probably just find another way to ship the reptiles.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Aug

@moffittjc It's good money for him so he could easily try again.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Aug

I have heard about Florida's problems with non-native pests. I think this guy had had a couple of successful mailings but perhaps the fine might put him off doing it again - and also the authorities may keep a close eye on him now.

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@Ronrybs (21719)

• London, England

29 Jul

A stretch inside wouldn't go amiss either!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Aug

I think that might have been a better deterrent.

1 person likes this

@sarik1 (7906)

•

5 Aug

Glad to know that he caught. But it is sad news.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Aug

I hope he won't carry on with this dreadful practice.

1 person likes this

@Shivram59 (52132)

• India

28 Jul

I've read it. Some people do such weird things to make money

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

They do indeed. I'm glad this guy was caught.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Aug

@Shivram59 They are indeed.

1 person likes this

@Shivram59 (52132)

• India

29 Jul

@JudyEv They should be sent behind the bars. They are a threat to our biodiversity.

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@Ineeddentures (46182)

•

28 Jul

Doesn't seem a big enough fine Probably won't deter him from doing it again He is a real prick and he should be castrated

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

A period behind bars might have been better.

1 person likes this

@Ineeddentures (46182)

•

29 Jul

@JudyEv Maybe. Imagine the fear and terror these poor creatures experienced Well maybe he needs to experience the same

1 person likes this

@GardenGerty (170716)

• United States

28 Jul

I hate that for the poor animals.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

It's an awful way to treat the poor things.

@AmbiePam (128160)

• United States

29 Jul

I hate the thought of them suffering.

1 person likes this

Anne Marie Guyer

@LeaPea2417 (40044)

• Toccoa, Georgia

28 Jul

That is so wrong to do. Why do some think it is okay to do?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

You do have to wonder at the things some do.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (141048)

• Marion, Ohio

28 Jul

That is an interesting tongue. Glad they caught the guy

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

They are well-named, aren't they?

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (101311)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

28 Jul

I think that is so wrong. Those poor reptiles. I am glad he got caught. Especially since he harms them doing this,

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

A term in jail might have done more good.

1 person likes this

@Shiva49 (28925)

• Singapore

28 Jul

Anything to make money, I think. The more it is prohibited, the more is the reward and heavier the punishment if caught.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (389067)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul

Yes, that's true. I think they should have put him in jail.

1 person likes this