Whale ear bones, grey wolf skins, leopard skulls and a monkey paw encased in glass among other gruesome items hidden away in the basement of Canberra's John Gorton Building will soon have a new home at the Australian Museum in Sydney.
The items have been seized over the years by the former Environment Department and the current Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment as part of their compliance activities and work under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the objects are an upsetting reminder of the cruel and exploitative crime the illegal trade in wildlife.
"This is an evil and highly organised crime that profits from cruelty," Minister Ley said.
"I want to send a message to wildlife smugglers - if you are going to smuggle them, you will be caught.
"This is a serious crime that attracts up to 10 years imprisonment and up to $222,000 in fines.
"To protect our native animals from the illegal trade overseas, recently I announced my intention to nominate a further 125 Australian animals to the CITES list.
"These animals have been identified as being at high risk from illegal wildlife trade and are increasingly being found in the international pet market."
Australian Museum Chief Scientist Professor Kris Helgen said that the high dollar value placed on illegally traded wildlife increases the levels of poaching, pushing some species to near extinction especially internationally. While domestically poaching can have significant impact of heritage and traditional sites.
"Crime against wildlife is a multibillion-dollar industry and illegal trafficking is a transnational crime, crossing borders worldwide," Professor Helgen said.
"Given what could be described as a multi-faceted approach combining border security, on the ground conservation, and applied scientific approaches is vital to combat the illegal wildlife trafficking trade.
"While it is better that the items are not removed from the animal in the first place, these seized items from the Australian Government will take on a new role at the Australian Museum in education and research."
The department has key responsibility for the implementation of Australia's requirements for international movement of species listed under CITES.
These requirements are then in acted through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The importing of regulated fauna or flora species without the necessary permits is a serious offence under the EPBC Act and can carry harsh penalties.
The maximum penalty for wildlife trade offences under the Act is 10 years imprisonment and $222,000 for individuals.
You can find more on CITES importation permits here.
