Thousands of rare bird eggs have been seized in Tasmania following an international investigation into the illegal bird trade.
The haul of 3404 eggs are believed to be worth from $400,000 to $500,000, and were discovered by investigators at a property in Granton in the state’s southeast earlier this month.
The eggs had been hollowed out, meaning they had only ornamental value.
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A 62-year-old man is under investigation but no arrests had been made, said federal government officials.
He is expected to front court at a later date for offences in breach of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.
“The man is a Tasmanian-based Australian citizen and is alleged to have traded eggs with a person in Europe,” a spokesperson for the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said.
There has been an explosion in highly profitable wildlife and animal crime across the world in recent years amid concerns some species are facing extinction.
The seized eggs are being analysed to confirm what species they belong to, but they are believed to include rare and threatened species facing a high extinction risk.
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Officials believe they include eggs from the forty-spotted pardalote, which is found only on Tasmania’s Bruny Island, the swift parrot and the shy albatross.
Last year European authorities launched an investigation over the illegal harvesting, collecting, trading, buying and selling of bird eggs.
Resulting raids led to the the seizure of more than 56,000 eggs.
The interference of threatened and migratory birds in Australia can carry a penalty of seven years in prison, a fine of $138,600 or both.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said: Illegal trafficking and wildlife crime is becoming a growing threat for endangered species.
“We have to stamp out this terrible trade which sees our native animals captured in the Aussie bush and sent overseas to be sold.
“My message to these criminals is we will not stop until we shut down this cruel trade.”
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