A Melbourne man could face up to $2 million in fines and decades in prison after wildlife officers found dozens of protected animals illegally kept in squalid conditions, some of which had already died.
Conservation officers executed an animal welfare search on a property in Melbourne's inner north on March 2021, following anonymous reports of wildlife welfare and licensing concerns.
There they found dingoes, pythons, frogs, possums, gliders, barn owls, a lizard, and a freshwater crocodile - most housed in small, filthy enclosures with no food or water.
Many reptiles and amphibians had no heat, lighting or humidity control which is required for their health and welfare.
Officers located a total of 40 protected animals, which included 26 live, three recently deceased and 11 preserved.
The remaining live animals were assessed and treated by qualified veterinarians, with most in poor condition due to starvation or illness.
Two brush-tailed possums and a barn owl were subsequently euthanised.
The 37-year-old man is accused of committing five offences relating to illegal possession of protected wildlife, 44 offences for acts of cruelty against wildlife and five specifically for aggravated cruelty.
He could face up to $2 million in fines and a maximum 49 years in prison over the alleged crimes.
In Victoria, offenders face up to $48,000 and or 12 months imprisonment for animal cruelty, and up to $96,000 and or two years imprisonment for aggravated animal cruelty for each charge.
Illegally keeping protected animals without a permit carries a maximum penalty of about $9500.
