More wildlife smuggled

Press, 13 June 1984, Page 3

More wildlife smuggled

PA Tauranga Illegal exports of New Zealand wildlife, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, are on the rise, according to a Bay of Plenty customs official.’ The Collector of Customs in Tauranga, Mr G. E. Angell, believes that tuatara, trout, and birds are being smuggled out of Tauranga, and that this could destroy some species. Mr Angell said there had been a recent increase in

the illegal export of wildlife.

“I believe it could be a lucrative sideline for a close-knit group of people in the Bay of Plenty,” he said. “A pair of live tuatara fetch $24,000 in the United States.

“Two kiwis would earn $20,000 on the same market. In New Zealand, a kiwi would be worth only $lOO. “We have evidence of rare birds being sent to Australia, which is the main live market for exports.” Mr Angell said Bay of

Plenty had a big population of native birds. It was also a recognised trout fishing area.

He said some wildlife was sent live overseas and some was killed and stuffed before being exported. Twelve months ago the Wildlife Service set up a special investigation unit to combat the export of wildlife, but the Deputy Conservator of Wildlife in Rotorua, Mr G. Anderson, said yesterday tuatara could be endangered if exports continued.