By Luke Voogt
A Geelong microbiologist kept 260 animals including two freshwater crocodiles in cruel conditions, a court has found.
Wildlife officers found the animals, including frogs, snakes and lizards, at a Highton property in July 2016, the court heard.
Police called the officers after discovering the collection during a call out, according to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s (DELWP) Mark Breguet.
“Almost half of the animals at the address were in poor condition or deceased,” Mr Breguet said.
“Zoos Victoria veterinary staff attended the address and assessed all live animals.
“While some of the seized animals were rehabilitated by specialist reptile vets and re-housed by DELWP, many did not respond to treatment and have since died.”
Doctor Hazizul Hussain-Yusuf pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Monday to cruelty, aggravated cruelty, unlawful possession of wildlife, failing to notify a change of address and failing to keep accurate records.
Hussain-Yusuf initially faced 154 animal cruelty related charges but the court consolidated them to five.
The court found he failed to provide adequate food, water and shelter for the large collection of wildlife.
The magistrate convicted Hussain-Yusuf, fining him $5000 plus costs of $15,095.67 and banning him from owning protected wildlife for five years.
DELWP regulates wildlife licensing in Victoria, including licences to keep and trade captive-bred native wildlife.
Mr Breguet said while the Private Wildlife Licence allowed large collections of animals, owners must abide by strict conditions.
“Despite holding a DELWP wildlife licence at the time, the owner failed to meet the Code of Practice, which is in place to protect the welfare of animals.
“With the privilege of keeping wildlife comes the responsibility for the animal’s health and welfare.”
Mr Breguet urged the public to report any suspected cases of wildlife cruelty and other related offences to the department.
The department would treat the anonymous reports as confidential, he said.
“This result sends a strong message to the community that serious penalties apply to licence holders who fail to provide adequate food, water and shelter for wildlife in their care.”
Hussain-Yusuf worked at a private research laboratory within the Geelong hospital and was a registered reptile collector.
He completed a PhD in Microbiology at the University of Kogoshima in Japan.
