Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
In a recent bust, the police in Świętochłowice, Poland arrested a spider seller for trading endangered species without proper documentation. The officers discovered 60 exotic arachnids, including royal and ornamental tarantulas, in the man’s home.
All the spiders were on the list of endangered species, and their trade without appropriate permits is punishable by up to five years in prison.
The economic crime unit of the police received a tip about the sale of protected species under the Washington Convention’s CITES regulations. The spiders were being offered for sale on a popular online auction portal. In their natural habitat, these species live on trees and have venom dangerous to humans.
The 33-year-old seller did not possess the required permits or documents to trade or breed spiders. As a result, the police had to shut down his breeding operation, and the man is now facing potential imprisonment of up to five years. The Washington Convention protects the wild populations of endangered animal and plant species worldwide. The royal and ornamental tarantulas are no exception and fall under the convention’s protection. The treaty has been ratified by 160 countries, including Poland in 1989.
The trafficking of endangered species is a severe problem globally, and Poland has been a significant transit point for illegal trade in recent years. The country’s authorities have increased their efforts to tackle this issue, with this arrest being a prime example of their efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade. The arrest sends a strong message that anyone who engages in the illegal trade of protected species will be held accountable under the law.