Lizards taken from Tennyson sand dunes to sell on the black market
The Tennyson dunes, long known as a site for night sex and drug use, now have a new problem – wildlife poachers.
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Illegal activity at the Tennyson sand dunes – including poachers taking lizards to sell on the black market – is behind a move to lock its carpark at night.
Charles Sturt Council will start closing off its southern carpark to help stamp out anti-social behaviour that has long plagued the area.
Tennyson Dunes Group spokesman Nick Crouch said people had recently been spotted in the dunes catching lizards and then stuffing them into their pockets and bags.
“One of the problems we have had in the last few summers is poachers going down there and stealing lizards to sell,” Mr Crouch said.
“I’ve heard of it happening in a few other places, but this is the first time at Tennyson.
“We are very frustrated by it.”
The Tennyson dunes are home to several types of lizards, including the sleepy lizard, but Mr Crouch said the painted dragon was its most popular.
“They are not a rare species … but Tennyson is the last stronghold for them in the Adelaide metropolitan area,” he said.
All Australian reptiles are protected in South Australia.
Associate Professor Mike Gardner, who studies lizards at Flinders University, said lizard poaching was a “big problem” right across Australia.
“I have not heard of them being taken from Tennyson but have heard of them being taken from elsewhere so I’m not very surprised,” Prof Gardner said.
He said according to the Wildlife Justice Commission, sleepy lizards could fetch $2000 to $3000 in China where they were kept as pets.
A breeding pair could sell for $7500.
Prof Gardner said one of the most popular ways to smuggle the lizards was in rice cookers.
He said sleepy lizards were prevalent in the Tennyson dunes, as opposed to other parts of the metropolitan coastline, because there was plenty of food and places for them to hide.
His colleague, Associate Professor Greg Johnstone, a herpetologist, said the Tennyson dunes were one of the few places in Adelaide with a painted dragon population.
He said they required specialised knowledge to keep as a pet.
Prof Johnstone said the lizards sold for $100 to $150 in local pet stores, but fetched “thousands of dollars” on the international market.
The dunes, which sit near some of Adelaide’s most expensive homes, have long been the site of anti-social behaviour, with repeated reports of alcohol and drug use.
The area is also known as a notorious gay beat and has even been promoted on adult websites as a five-star hook-up spot.
Charles Sturt councillor Sarah McGrath was relieved control of the southern carpark had recently shifted from the State Government to the council, and it could now be locked at night.
She said “idiots” in 4WD vehicles had previously driven on the dunes, sex and drug use in the area was rife and she was aware of lizards being taken.
Cr McGrath said biohazard clean-ups had to be undertaken to remove used needles and condoms found in the dunes.
Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans encouraged the community to visit the dunes during the designated opening times.
A police spokesperson urged anyone who witnessed illegal activity and/or anti-social behaviour, including the deliberate destruction of natural habitat or interfering with native animals, to contact police on 131 444.
The Environment Department said it had not received any formal complaints regarding the taking of lizards from the dunes.
“People cannot take native animals from the wild unless they have a permit under the National Parks and Wildlife Act,” it said.
“Anyone with any evidence of such activity is urged to report it to the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA on 8124 4914.”