Australia is home to many unique and rare animal species, but sadly, it also provides attractive targets for animal smugglers. Our Melbourne correspondent, Leigh Smith, visits a special exhibit, that aims to help curb the animal smuggling trade.

Focusing on the cruel and destructive trade of animal smuggling, the “Smugglers Beware” exhibit was officially launched on June 28, at Werribee's Open Range Zoo, 30 minutes drive west of Melbourne.

Zoo director Sally Lewis explains the objective of having such an exhibit.

[Sally Lewis, Zoo Director]:
“It’s about creating awareness, particularly for children who simply may not be aware that this happens. Awareness of what the government does in terms of trying to prevent smuggling, but an appreciation for animals as a whole, and the environment as a whole, to ensure that they don’t grow up thinking that it’s ok to be trading animals, or buying animals on the Internet, and so on.”

State Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Water Michael Crutchfield, praised the exhibit, and spoke about the factors behind the lucrative smuggling trade.

[Michael Crutchfield, Parliamentary Secretary]:
"Clearly there are overseas markets for our birds and reptiles, and these people are driven entirely by profit, though it’s not about the interests of these birds or reptiles, it’s about making money from vulnerable species.”

Presented are many reminders of the smuggling trade’s results, like snake skin sneakers, snake skin handbags, bear bile powder and bear’s gall wine.Also on display are some rescued reptiles from home and abroad, including the Madagascan boa, Madagascan day gecko and black headed python.

The scorpion is well known for delivering a potentially deadly sting, but it also has another lesser known ability, under an ultra violet light, it can glow in the dark, perhaps one of the reasons why they are found by customs in smuggling related seizures.

The exhibition will remain open at Werribee’s Open Range Zoo until October 4.

Leigh Smith, NTD, Melbourne, Australia.