Spider lover fined for importing unknown orange tarantulas

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Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:00a.m.

Experts confirmed the spiders were a new species belonging to the tarantula family

Experts confirmed the spiders were a new species belonging to the tarantula family

An Auckland spider enthusiast has been fined a total of $4630 for trying to import seven previously unknown orange tarantulas from the Philippines.

Robert Featherstone, a self employed aquarium and pool designer, was sentenced in Manukau District Court last week after earlier admitting illegally importing spiders, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) said today.

Judge Gus Andree Wiltens fin ed Featherstone $4000 and ordered him to pay investigation and court costs of $630. The maximum fine under the Biosecurity Act is $100,000 or five years in prison.

A package containing seven live, juvenile spiders, each one orange in colour and secured in polystyrene, arrived from the Philippines on November 8, 2007, and was intercepted at an Auckland mail room by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand officials.

It was described as a gift on declaration forms and addressed to Featherstone's home address.

Experts confirmed the spiders were a new species belonging to the tarantula family and unidentified previously in any part of the world.

The spiders were euthanised and sent to the Queensland Museum for further study.

Featherstone was described as having a keen interest in the trading and breeding of exotic pets. When interviewed, he admitted spiders were his hobby and passion and that he was planning on keeping them as pets.

He knew he couldn't buy tarantulas in New Zealand so had ordered them from the Philippines and instructed them to be labelled as "gift" in an attempt to avoid customs duty.

Tarantula hairs can pierce human skin and contain a toxin that can cause a serious skin rash, an allergic reaction, and possibly even anaphylactic shock.

"Had the spiders got loose or been released in the local environment there would have been a danger to the native flora and fauna of New Zealand. The biggest tarantulas can kill animals as large as lizards and birds," said MAF investigations manager Greg Reid. The spiders could also have hurt humans and damaged New Zealand's multi-billion dollar tourism industry, he said.

NZPA

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Comments

27 Jan 2010 06:50a.m.

John wrote:

You people just don't get it, the simple fact is that most government A holes feel it necessary to use the media to malign species of animals whether it's a dog or a spider or a snake. The whole purpose of the media is to create what I like to call, Mama Drama, which is in brief, highly over exaggerated information for the people that are not informed about these animals or whatever. I've petted Pitbulls, I've had Brown Recluses crawl on me, I even picked up a baby Copperhead pit viper. Yet somehow because I knew what I knew about these animals, I never had to go to the emergency room for it. The reason I didn't get bitten by that pitbull is because it had a good owner, the reason that brown recluse did bite is because it was in my cowboy hat when I was wearing it (I just happen to be messy at home which is perfect for attracting a brown recluse), the venom hardly effected me with the acception of an itchy bump and the reason that Copperhead didn't bite is because I had it by its head, not its tail.

30 Aug 2009 05:16a.m.

Ciniul Steve Eudela wrote:

humans are the most dangerous species that we can find. they will stab you, kill your whole family, burn your house down including everyone in it, rob you, rape you, and will kill 7 innocent unknown tarantulas that were purchased by a stupid guy who wanted them to become his own pets.
Selenobrachys philippinus is the species of those tarantulas. i know that because i am also from the Philippines, just like them. so who ever killed them, try not to pass by our house. okay? or i'll chop you up and feed you to my dear arachnids. have a good day.

29 Aug 2009 07:22p.m.

Jill wrote:

What kind of idiotic bureaucrat orders the death of the only known samples of a new species, let alone any confiscated species? They need to go to a zoo or rehab facility, not the bottom of a trash bin! Claims of sending them to a "research lab" are probably only meant to appease the public. I don't buy it.

29 Aug 2009 05:55a.m.

Matt wrote:

I'm pretty sure its standard procedure in most countries to kill any illegally imported creatures. That way they cannot be accidentally brought into the local ecosystem if someone mis-handles them.

03 Aug 2009 08:14p.m.

donna wrote:

Why were the spiders euthanised? Why were they not kept alive for further study? A previously unknown speices? you have 7 live juvenile spiders and you kill them all? Something doesn't set right with that scenario.
I understand the importance of protecting native flora and fauna but these spiders were previously unknown is what the article says. Why kill them???
The wording makes it seem as though these particular spiders were a grave danger to human beings. Tarantulas are quite docile more often than not.

29 Jul 2009 11:41a.m.

dan wrote:

This man is so irresponsible. Such people need to be penalized by the law to a much higher value fine and full force of the law in prosecution.