Live and dead animals seized from Kyneton business after investigation

A large number of live and dead animals has been seized from a business in Central Victoria following an investigation by authorities.

Warning: This article contains an image some readers may find distressing.

A Kyneton business was searched by Victorian conservation officers on Thursday and Friday.

The animals were located as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged unlawful possession of native and exotic wildlife. 

Brady Childs is a manager within the regulatory operations team of the state's Conservation Regulator.

He alleged the animals found included native and exotic reptiles, birds and mammals.

"Within Victoria a lot of native wildlife is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975," he said.

"It is illegal to possess, take or destroy wildlife without authorisation."

Biosecurity risk

The Conservation Regulator advised exotic pest animals were not pets and posed a serious biosecurity risk to the state.

Mr Childs said that was an issue also covered under state legislation.

"Also governed under the Wildlife Act and the Catchment Land Protection Act (1994) is any exotic or invasive pests as well," he said.

"There might be wildlife brought in from overseas that poses a risk to the biodiversity of Australia and Victoria."

Mr Childs said if community members came across suspicious behaviour around wildlife, it was important to report that to authorities.

"We rely on community information," he said.

"Sometimes little bits of information support that in the investigations. 

"If [the community] know anything or heard anything, give us a call." 

The business owners have been contacted for comment.