Convicted animal smuggler Niall Cooke gave the world an insider’s look into the illegal wildlife trade of Western Australian Wildlife through a recent interview on the ABC’s 7.30 Report, and voiced the controversial opinion that to save animal lives, Australia should expand its list of species available to be legally exported.

Niall Cooke’s Perspective Shift: From Smuggler to Wildlife Advocate

The 25-year-old man has forty plus charges of “taking, possessing, and transporting Australian species” under his belt, shedding light on the detrimental consequences of wildlife trafficking. Cooke’s involvement in the smuggling industry began when his contacts in the industry requested protected animals, species “not on the list,” exploiting his licensed work of taking reptiles for the industry. Despite seeing it as “helping mates out” initially, Cooke’s perspective has shifted since then. He now works as a guide in Kimberley, witnessing firsthand the beauty of the very animals he used to smuggle.

Kimberley Region: A Hotspot for Illegal Reptile Trade

The remote Kimberley region in Western Australia, renowned for its scenic wilderness and breathtaking coastline, also faces the challenge of being a hotspot for illegal reptile trade. International smuggling rings treat Kimberley as a “candy store,” with snakes and lizards becoming easy pickings. The lucrative black market incentivizes the theft of these reptiles from their natural habitats, leading to substantial profits. Unfortunately, many of these animals do not survive the treacherous journey to their final destinations.

Australia’s Biodiversity Under Threat: The Temptation of Animal Smugglers

As one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, Australia becomes a tempting target for animal smugglers. The allure of substantial financial gain is attracting an increasing number of criminals to the illegal trade. Adding to the problem, social media platforms provide a convenient marketplace for smuggled animals, further fueling demand. Cooke even shared an Instagram profile of a man in the USA who smuggles and sells Australian species for a massive profit, openly advertising his illegal actions without apparent concern for consequences.

Legalization of Illegal Trade? Niall Cooke’s Controversial Proposal

Australia has implemented stringent regulations on animal exports, and authorities train staff at airports and post offices to remain vigilant for suspicious packages. However, Cooke believes that the current measures will not effectively combat smuggling. He controversially suggests that legalizing the illegal trade and allowing individuals to obtain licenses to take animals legally would help curb trafficking and prevent animal deaths resulting from cruel smuggling tactics.

Government Stance: Opposition to Legalizing Wildlife Trafficking

Despite Cooke’s views, the government does not support his proposition. WA Environment Minister Stephen Dawson firmly opposes changing the law to enable Cook to profit from these animals without fear of prosecution. Instead, the Federal Government plans to tighten laws even further, increasing penalties for individual poachers from ten thousand dollars to five hundred thousand dollars.

Unraveling the Complexity: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, and Wildlife Trafficking

The interview with Niall Cooke sheds light on the intricate web of biodiversity, endangered species, wildlife trafficking, and the challenges faced by wildlife conservation efforts in Australia. It emphasizes the need for continued protection of protected areas, habitat restoration, and conservation genetics, as well as the importance of combating poaching and wildlife trafficking. Furthermore, preserving ecosystem services, promoting ecotourism, and establishing wildlife corridors can contribute to the conservation of Australia’s unique wildlife. Organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature play a crucial role in advocating for these conservation efforts, ensuring the preservation of Australia’s rich biodiversity for future generations.”
His controversial opinion has not found favor with the government. Stephen Dawson, the WA Environment Minister, says that he has no intentions of changing the law just so that Cook can make money off these animals without fear of prosecution. In fact, the Federal Government is planning to go in the opposite direction and make the laws even stricter. The penalty for an individual poacher will climb from ten thousand dollars to five hundred thousand dollars.

The police and post offices in Derby and Broome are currently on high alert for any indications of smuggling. To find out more about the illegal smuggling of wildlife and the role we play in raising community awareness of the issue visit our homepage