SYDNEY, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Border Force (ABF) announced on Monday that a man has been fined for attempting to smuggle over 4,000 insects out of Australia.
The Czech national was boarding a flight from perth to Dubai, when he was caught with the insects including 27 spiders and seven scorpions by ABF officers at the airport.
Authorities say the man had kept the critters in a variety of containers, including ziplock bags, plastic boxes and bottles, with wood shavings infused with ethyl acetate used to kill them and keep them fresh.
The WA Museum were called to assess the find, and said the insects were protected species under the state's Wildlife Conservation Act.
The ABF said the man allegedly collected and exported insects across the world.
He was charged for the offence and levied with a 2,000 dollar (1,545 U.S. dollar) fine.
