Holiday-makers are urged to watch out for any exotic pests to safeguard NSW’s $23.1 billion agriculture industry.
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders stated that everyone might contribute to NSW’s biosecurity while on vacation.
“As we spend time with our families for the remainder of the Christmas and New Year holidays, it’s important to remember that biosecurity threats don’t take a break. I encourage everyone, whether you’re travelling near or far, to keep your eyes open and report any sightings of exotic wildlife that could put our communities, our environment and our economies at risk,” Minister Saunders said.
According to Minister Saunders, one of the most prevalent ways cane toads and other pests enter NSW is by hitchhiking with an unsuspecting driver. The Minister added that authorities believe a male toad discovered in Tathra arrived on an interstate vehicle earlier this month, so check your load for toads before returning.
A four-meter Burmese python, a venomous Gila monster (lizard), an iguana, corn snakes, and an African spurred tortoise are just a few of the introduced species that the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has responded to reports of in 2022. Many of these animals were illegally kept at properties in Sydney.
“The illegal wildlife trade can be just as devastating to the animal that has been poached as it is to the new environment it has been introduced to,” Minister Saunders said.
Minister Saunders stated that animals should never be made to travel to places they are not supposed to, and if they escape from a person’s garage or backyard, that will result in a much bigger issue.
The NSW DPI’s ‘Protect What We Love’ social media campaign raises awareness about these pests and urges people to report examples of exotic animals being maintained illegally.
