Man fined for taking Woma python

The Department of Parks and Wildlife has successfully prosecuted a Wickham man over the illegal taking of a protected species of python.

Shane Campbell Humphries appeared in the Karratha Courthouse last week on one count of unlawful possession of protected fauna under the Wildlife Conservation Act.

Police found a Woma python in an enclosure inside Mr Humphries’ Wickham property while executing a search warrant on June 3, 2015.

The native python is endangered because of threats to its environment and is specially protected under the Act.

Mr Humphries pleaded guilty to the charge.

He told the court he was a former DPaW reptile capture and release volunteer whose licence had lapsed and had been distracted from informing DPaW about the python by distressing personal news.

DPaW prosecutor Gail Ritchie told the court they were not seeking the maximum penalty in this case but wanted to uphold the Act’s purpose of conserving protected wildlife.

Magistrate Richard Huston fined Mr Humphries $1000 out of a possible $10,000 penalty.

A DPaW spokeswoman said the taking of protected reptiles from their environment was a frequent problem in the Pilbara and across WA.

“Reptiles, in particular, are targeted in the Pilbara while other native wildlife including birds and mammals are also taken,” she said.

“Reptiles can only be legally taken from the wild by a limited number of licensed people and licences are required to keep reptiles, including Woma pythons and amphibians.”

The spokeswoman said anyone with information about suspected cases of illegally removed wildlife should contact the DPaW Karratha office on 9182 2000.