LAX lizard man faces up to 20 years for smuggling Australian wildlife

November 24, 5:10 PMAirlines/Airport ExaminerJoel Siegfried

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Michael Plank of Lomita, CA, who was arrested last week at LAX with 15 lizards concealed in a money pouch strapped to his torso, could face 20 years in a federal penitentiary and a $250,000 fine. He is currently free on $10,000 bail, pending his arraignment in federal court on December 21. Plank allegedly broke several federal laws by not declaring items brought into the United States, concealing the illegal import of wildlife, and trafficking in a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Mona Ianelli values the lizards at $8,500. They have been confiscated and are being held as evidence.

CAPTION: (LEFT) Australian aborigine with snake in Queensland cultural performance (Image Credit - Joel Siegfried)

A slide show follows this article showing snakes, lizards, and other wildlife.

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CAPTION: (ABOVE RIGHT) A small child and an even smaller crocodile (Image Credit - Joel Siegfried)

Plank, who once lived in San Diego County, could not be reached for comment. In an effort to better understand his motives in traveling for over eighteen hours with 15 lizards strapped to his body, the San Diego Airport Examiner contacted several sources, including the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in the Australian capital of Canberra, the President of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), and the Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians at the San Diego Zoo.

According to a DAFF spokesperson in Australia, "Australian bio security authorities view the protection of Australia's native wildlife as paramount. Legal exports of native wildlife from Australia are assessed on a case by case basis. Considerations include the purpose of the export, possible Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species issues and the importing country's requirements."

CAPTION: (ABOVE LEFT) Australian aborigine on street corner in Sydney, Australia (Image Credit - Joel Siegfried)

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services (AQIS) web site states that under the Australia's Export Control Act 1982, an Export Permit and a Health Certificate are required for export of all live animals from Australia. This would have required Mr. Plank to contact AQIS, set up an appointment, have his lizards inspected by a veterinarian, pay a fee which varies based on processing time, and receive the necessary paperwork.

Even following such strict procedures might not have helped. Various sources stated that from their experience, the Australian government does not usually grant export permits allowing the removal of native wildlife. Apparently, Michael Plant decided to bypass the red tape and just pop the lizards into a pouch concealed on his body.

We wanted to learn more about the allure of lizards. Dr. Chris Griffin, a veterinarian in Kanapolis, NC, who is currently President of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) generously took time form his busy Griffin Exotics medical practice to answer questions we put to him.

CAPTION: (ABOVE RIGHT) Giant spider in Atherton Tablelands forest, Queensland, Australia (Image Credit - Joel Siegfried)

According to Dr. Griffin, "There is undeniable stress involved with the transport of reptiles and amphibians under all circumstances. So smuggling them on a person's body for 24 hours of flight from Australia to the US would certainly qualify as increasing such stress or being viewed as possible cruelty and mistreatment."

As to keeping lizards and snakes as pets, Dr. Griffin made these comments, "The lizards listed have been kept in private homes as pets for many years. Monitor lizards can be fascinating creatures, and many individuals enjoy the predatory nature of their personality. I had a pair of Savannah Monitor Lizards years ago who would sit on a sofa with me while I watched TV. They were very docile in most circumstances, but you always had to respect the potential damage they could inflict with those powerful jaws. Bearded Dragons may be the most popular new lizard pet in the US. There are multiple species of skinks that can be kept in captivity successfully. There are some species of reptiles that many consider unsafe for private collections. I would suggest that only experienced and qualified individuals keep giant snakes (reticulated Pythons, Burmese Pythons for instance) and giant lizards (Asian water monitor, Komodo dragons, for instance). Venomous snakes are also obviously problematic under all but the most exceptional circumstances in private care."

CAPTION: (ABOVE LEFT) Bearded Dragon Lizard (Image Credit - Wikipedia)

Additional information was provided by Donal Boyer, a Herpetologist and Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians at the San Diego Zoo. We spoke at length with Mr. Boyer on a conference call that included the Zoo's Senior Public Relations Representative, Yadira Galindo.

According to Donal Boyer, who became fascinated with Tiger Salamanders at a very young age, there are only two species of poisonous lizards, the Gila monster, and the Mexican Beaded Lizard. Most lizards can make good household pets. Boyer remarked, "Some species are difficult to keep, because of habitat and diet, but are not as destructive as, for example, a cat who kills and eats a songbird." He added that lizards do not return affection, as would a dog or cat. "Reptiles are like tropical fish. They are fascinating to watch, are fairly intelligent, can learn play behavior, and unlike fish, can be handled."

CAPTION: (ABOVE RIGHT) Mexican Beaded Lizard (Image Credit - Wikipedia)

He stressed that responsible pet owners should not let their reptiles escape into the environment, where an introduced species could negatively impact the local ecosystem. There are a number of examples of such events upsetting the balance of nature, including mongoose and Chameleon lizards in Hawaii, Burmese Pythons in the Florida Everglades, and even the San Francisco wild parrots of Telegraph Hill.

As to health dangers, exotic lizards pose a small risk of zoonotic disease transmission to native species and to other reptiles, and new arrivals should be put into quarantine. Some may be infested with parasites. Small turtles carry the Salmonella bacteria, which can be transmitted to people. For these reasons, they are no longer sold in pet stores.

CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) Satellite image from NASA showing the Everglades ecoregion (Image Credit - Wikipedia); (BELOW RIGHT) CITES Logo (Image Credit - Wikipedia)

Mr. Boyer went on to discuss restrictions to animal trafficking, including U.S. and International law, the Endangered Species Act, the previously mentioned Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. He ended our discussion with these remarks, "Buy legally obtained reptiles and amphibians. There are enough legitimate sources. Penalties for smuggling can be severe, including fines and jail time. It just shouldn't be done, because it is illegal, and reflects badly on everyone. Act responsibly by not violating national or international law."

That's good advice. It also means, if you're returning from Australia, or elsewhere, you can have a much more comfortable flight, be able to look Customs Inspectors straight in the face, and go home afterwards with your Didgeridoo or other travel souvenirs, without first landing in jail.

CAPTION: (ABOVE LEFT) Lizards Seized at LAX (Photo Credit - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

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