(nach einem Hinweis im AF)
Exotic ant stash seized in Canberra after owner tries to sell breeding colonies online
(Ein Lager exotischer Ameisen wird konfisziert, nachdem der Besitzer versucht hat, reproduktive Kolonien online zu verkaufen)http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-07-10/biosecurity-officers-seize-exotic-ants-from-canberra-home/8693858
- Von: Dept. of Agriculture and Water Resources)
Der Text des Artikels: (einige Abschnitte von mir übersetzt)
Anaphylaxis-inducing species were among hundreds of exotic ants seized at a Canberra home last month, after their owner tried to sell them on
the Gumtree website.
The potentially devastating pests were listed on the website on May 28.
Biosecurity officials were alerted to the sale by several concerned members of the public.
When they arrived for a surprise inspection at the Canberra property, officials discovered eight different species including queens and reproducing colonies.
Six have been confirmed as exotic.
Those included the Tetraponera rufonigra species, which Australian officials said was one of three ants responsible for the greatest number of anaphylaxis cases in Thailand.
Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergic reaction, and can be life threatening.
(Unter den 6 exotischen Ameisen war Tetraponera rufonigra, die in Thailand für den größten Anteil an Fällen von anaphylaktischem Schock verantwortlich ist).
The Canberra property was treated to kill any ants that may have escaped from the enclosures, a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture said.
(Das Anwesen in Canberra wurde mit einem Insektizid behandelt um alle Ameisen zu töten, die eventuell entkommen waren).
The department's head of biosecurity operations, Nico Padovan, said in a statement that exotic ants "pose a huge risk to our environment and way of life".
"They are predators and foragers, with single queens possessing vast reproductive capacities — making them difficult to eradicate if established.
"Exotic ants are often aggressive, are resilient and compete with native species, damage crops and invade buildings."
It is unclear where the ants came from, how long the Canberra resident had kept the ants before attempting to sell them online, or whether the resident had ever succeeded in selling exotic ants before.
A departmental spokesman told the ABC that investigations into the origin and "import pathway" of the ants were continuing.
The maximum penalty for individuals who trade in exotic wildlife is 10 years in prison or a $180,000 fine. (Die Höchststrafe für Händler exotischer Organismen ist 10 Jahre Gefängnis oder 180.000 Austr. $)
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act also allows individuals to face five years in prison or a $180,000 fine for the possession of illegally imported specimens. (Auch Besitzer illegal importierter Exemplare können mit bis zu 5 Jahren Gefängnis oder 180.000 $ Strafe rechnen)
Previous exotic ant incursions have proven costly for Australia. (Frühere Einschleppungen von exotischen Ameisen haben sich als teuer für Australien erwiesen)
More than $327 million has been spent trying to get rid of red imported fire ants since an incursion was discovered in Brisbane in 2001.
Containment and eradication efforts continue in south-east Queensland, but the invasive and destructive pest was recently found on the Sunshine Coast for the first time.
In a statement, Mr Padovan said ACT Government conservation officers were managing any "residual biosecurity risk" at the Canberra property where the ants were seized.
"Ongoing surveillance work will be undertaken if necessary," he said.
"Anyone who claims to be an insect lover and conceals them in small packages and sends them through the mail does not have the best interests of the insects at heart, and is putting our country at risk."
Leider gibt es immer wieder Menschen, die aus Unvernunft und Egoismus Gesetze missachten, nicht nur in Australien, von Einsicht in die Risiken ihres Handelns ganz zu schweigen.
MfG,
Merkur
