Crocodiles and snakes ‘destined for sale here’

CROCODILES which can grow up to three metres long were among a haul of deadly reptiles destined for sale here, it emerged last night.

Northern police and animal welfare experts found juvenile crocodiles and boa constrictor snakes in the boot of a car near the Border in Newry, Co Down.

Officials from the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) said some of the creatures were on their way to be sold in Co Louth.

A spokesperson for the USPCA said the reptiles were last night being looked after by experts following the seizure on Thursday.

He said: “They came across from the United Kingdom from a dealer on the south coast of England and were for a shop in Ballymena in Co Antrim. Some of them were destined for the South, however.

“They came over in cardboard boxes on the overnight freight and the guy who picked them up was heading towards the Border but was stopped before he got across.”

In the boot of the car, officers found Cayman crocodiles measuring 30 centimetres to 50cm as well as young boa constrictors.

The crocodiles can reach up to three metres fully grown while boas can kill a child, the USPCA said.

The discovery of the animals led the USPCA to a house near Omagh in Co Tyrone where tarantulas, a poisonous toad and snakes, including pythons, were also discovered. All will be sent to sanctuaries.

The USPCA is demanding the introduction of wildlife laws in the North to make possession of the exotic creatures an offence.

Mark Beazley, from the Co Longford-based Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, called for tougher laws in the Republic, too.

He said: “There are no legal restrictions whatsoever on owning pets like this. This gives us great cause for concern as the market in exotic animals has been growing. Ever since the Celtic Tiger people have had more disposable income and have been looking for exotic pets. Obviously we are concerned about this from an animal welfare point of view as well as public safety.”

The law and international treaties govern the importation of exotic animals but ownership is not controlled, he said.

Irish customs officials have officers at ports and airports looking out for endangered and other exotic animals being shipped in.

A Customs spokesperson said seizures under the treaties have included live animals, stuffed creatures and even bush meat.

Last September, officers discovered two turtles in the post. They had been sent from Florida and were lucky to have survived. The pair are now in Dublin Zoo.

Other finds include the stuffed heads of a bobcat, a wild pig known as a peccary and even a black bear. Precious shells, ivory, coral and crocodile skin have also been found by Irish customs. Gruesome finds have included raw monkey meat and dead snakes in glass jars.