The raid, conducted over four days in April 2025 by officers from Victoria’s Conservation Regulator, uncovered the collection spread across 14 freezers and on shelves in the antique shop. Among the taxidermied animals were 78 emus, 42 brushtail possums and 26 echidnas. The collection also included threatened species such as barking owls, diamond pythons and Murray River short-necked turtles.
Investigators also found 15 live reptiles, including native snakes and turtles as well as North American red-eared slider turtles and corn snakes. The court heard that six native reptiles were being kept in conditions that failed animal welfare standards.
On Tuesday, the antiques dealer pleaded guilty to charges including illegal possession and sale of wildlife, taking wildlife from the wild without authorisation and animal welfare failures. The court heard that animals and remains were obtained and kept without required licenses.
In sentencing, the magistrate described the scale of offending as enormous and said it was 'bewildering that a man of your intelligence and knowledge and love of wildlife would arrogantly flout the law so comprehensively.' The magistrate noted that the collection included many iconic and endangered species. The court took into account the man’s age, previous good character, early guilty plea and limited financial capacity in imposing the $10,000 fine.