Two Italian men, Luigi and Mattia Ferrari, were fined 60 million Sri Lankan rupees for attempting to smuggle hundreds of insects out of Yala National Park, Sri Lanka. This incident marked the highest-ever fine for wildlife crime in the country. The father and son were also convicted of illegal collection, possession, and transportation of the insects and face two years in jail if they fail to pay the fine by 24 September.
The two men were found with jars full of insects, including 92 species of butterflies, in their car boot. They used animal attractants and wax sachets to lure and chemically preserve the creatures. The park rangers were alerted by a safari jeep driver about the suspicious activity and found the insects already dead due to the chemicals in the containers.
Luigi Ferrari, who works in private clinics in Italy, is a member of the Modenese Natural Sciences group and an insect enthusiast. Yala National Park is home to a high concentration of protected species, including leopards, elephants, and buffalos, and is known for its rich biodiversity.
Sri Lanka has 245 species of butterflies, 25 of which are endemic to the island. The Ceylon rose species, in particular, is flagged as critically endangered. The incident has raised concerns about wildlife conservation and the illegal trade of insects, highlighting the importance of protecting the natural habitats of these species.
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