Customs officials hear 'flipping' noises, find 51 tropical species
The Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia - There must have been something fishy about the way she walked. Customs officials said Monday they stopped a woman as she arrived Friday in the southern city of Melbourne on a flight from Singapore and found 51 live tropical fish allegedly hidden in a specially designed apron under her skirt.
"During the search customs officers became suspicious after hearing 'flipping' noises coming from the vicinity of her waist," the Australian Customs Service said in a press release. "An examination revealed 15 plastic water-filled bags holding fish allegedly concealed inside a purpose-built apron."
The species of fish was not immediately known, but customs officials warned they could carry diseases that could decimate Australian fish if they escaped into local rivers.
Customs officers will charge the woman once they establish what species the fish are. If convicted of smuggling wildlife, she faces a fine of up to U.S. $83,617 and could also get a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Kills me how some people still are so damn clueless as to what introducing non native species (animals, plants etc.) into a new environment. I understand they are tank fish, but eventually do to whatever the circumstance some can find their way into the wild.
We have Iguanas here that have no natural predators, but eat the crap out of everything. And if I had a nickel for every non native snake let go in the glades.....
Funny story with the fish in the skirt though....the possibilities are endless witht this one.
chalksoperations wrote:Kills me how some people still are so damn clueless as to what introducing non native species (animals, plants etc.) into a new environment. I understand they are tank fish, but eventually do to whatever the circumstance some can find their way into the wild.
We have Iguanas here that have no natural predators, but eat the crap out of everything. And if I had a nickel for every non native snake let go in the glades.....
Funny story with the fish in the skirt though....the possibilities are endless witht this one.
You and I can share the same soapbox, Chalks...that is a BIG pet peeve of mine too. Add turtles and frogs to that list too, not to mention the rodents...
chalksoperations wrote:Kills me how some people still are so damn clueless as to what introducing non native species (animals, plants etc.) into a new environment. I understand they are tank fish, but eventually do to whatever the circumstance some can find their way into the wild.
We have Iguanas here that have no natural predators, but eat the crap out of everything. And if I had a nickel for every non native snake let go in the glades.....
Funny story with the fish in the skirt though....the possibilities are endless witht this one.
You and I can share the same soapbox, Chalks...that is a BIG pet peeve of mine too. Add turtles and frogs to that list too, not to mention the rodents...
Wanna add the idjuts that buy baby alligators and let them go when they....GASP.....GROW?
