Dangerous alligator snapping turtles seized from Sydney home
TWO large dangerous alligator snapping turtles — with a bite that can amputate fingers — and 90 red-eared slider turtles have been seized from a home in Milperra with Canterbury Bankstown Council saying it has “potentially averted an environmental catastrophe”.
The Express
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TWO large dangerous alligator snapping turtles and 90 red-eared slider turtles have been seized from a home in Milperra, thanks to a tip off.
A Canterbury Bankstown Council spokeswoman said their quick action has “potentially averted an environmental catastrophe”.
The turtles were rescued from the home by officers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) recently.
Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said the ownership of these turtles is a problem across Sydney “and their presence in our waterways is increasing right across the state, which is worrying”.
According to the DPI, the alligator snapping turtles are capable of delivering a powerful bite and have been known to amputate fingers and toes.
DPI’s Deputy Director General Biosecurity, Bruce Christie, said it is an offence to keep, move, buy, sell, breed or otherwise deal with red-eared slider turtles, unless authorised.
“The two alligator snapping turtles we removed, on this occasion, weighed 8.6 and 13.7 kilograms and are considered to be extremely dangerous,” Mr Christie said.
“They are capable of delivering a powerful bite which could easily amputate fingers.
“We’re constantly on the lookout for pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants, and we thank
those members of the public and councils, who are true biosecurity warriors, for reporting
illegally-kept animals, offered for sale online, or have been spotted in the open environment.”
“They are not native to Australia and are a danger to our environment, native animals and also residents,” Cr Asfour said.
: If they get into our waterways, they will breed and compete with our native turtles.
“We’ve been working with state government agencies to control them and are currently installing a trap at Wiley Park, and are in the process of introducing other measures.”
Investigations are continuing in the Milperra case and breaches of the Biosecurity Act can attract fines up to $1 million and or three years jail.
A council spokeswoman said residents who spot exotic turtles, either on private or public property, can report the sighting by calling 9707 9000, while residents who have an exotic turtle in their possession, should surrender it to the DPI.