A joint compliance operation conducted by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has resulted in the seizure of at least 110 native animals from a Brisbane home.
Wildlife Officers described the case as one of the worst they had seen.
Compliance Officer, Warren Christensen said information obtained by the QPS indicated that a wildlife carer had allegedly breached the conditions of their Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit.
“Wildlife Officers and police searched the house in relation to a number of wildlife offences that were alleged to have been committed,” Mr Christensen said.
“Due to the poor conditions the animals were being kept in, we removed at least 110 animals from the property and requested the assistance of RSPCA Queensland to transport the living animals to their Wildlife Hospital at Wacol for veterinary assessment and treatment.”
He said 25 dead animals were found in freezers beneath the house and some of those were unable to be identified.
“Many of the living animals were suffering from illness or disease or were blind and could not be rehabilitated and released back to the wild,” Mr Christensen said.
“The conditions in which the animals were kept were clearly not consistent with regulatory requirements and may have breached the Animal Care and Protection Act.”
He said many of the animals were being kept in small cages or enclosures inside the house without access to fresh air or sunlight.
“Our investigation has shown the person may be allowed to conduct native animal rehabilitation activities under a group rehabilitation permit, but it is clear the person had taken too many animals into care.”
Mr Christensen said the RSPCA provided significant support during the operation, and the living animals were being assessed by vets at their Wacol facility.
“The QPWS would like to thank the RSPCA and the QPS for their valuable assistance during this operation,” he said.
“It is sad, but we believe many of those animals will have to be euthanised due to their illness and disease.”
The investigation is continuing.
