# Global wildlife possession and trade violations

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-wildlife-possession-and-trade-violations
> Updated: 2026-10-28T08:20:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Recent legal actions have targeted individuals for the illegal possession and sale of protected wildlife in different regions.

In Australia, a 74-year-old man from Kyneton was fined $10,000 after pleading guilty to charges including the illegal possession and sale of more than 700 dead native animals. The collection, identified during a 2025 investigation, contained various birds, reptiles, and mammals, including threatened species such as the barking owl and Murray River short-necked turtle.

In South Africa, a Cape Town resident was fined R250,000 and received a suspended two-year prison sentence following her conviction on six charges related to the unlawful acquisition and keeping of 145 reptiles. The animals included protected, endangered, and invasive species. The court also disqualified the individual from obtaining wildlife permits in the Western Cape for five years.

## Claims

- Jacqueline Hewett was convicted of six offences regarding the unlawful possession of 145 reptiles. (reported by 2 sources)
- Hewett was sentenced to a fine of R250,000 or four years’ imprisonment. (reported by 2 sources)
- The reptiles included protected, endangered, alien invasive, and prohibited species. (reported by 2 sources)
- Hewett received a two-year prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years. (reported by 2 sources)
- Hewett is disqualified from obtaining reptile permits in the Western Cape for five years. (reported by 2 sources)
- The reptiles were found in March 2023 at a shop in Observatory and a home in Woodstock. (reported by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-28: Cape Town woman fined for illegal possession of 145 reptiles

A Cape Town woman was fined R250,000 and disqualified from holding reptile permits for five years after being convicted of illegally possessing 145 protected and invasive reptiles.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cape-town-woman-fined-for-illegal-possession-of-145-reptiles

### 2026-10-23: Australian man fined for possessing 700+ taxidermied animals

A Kyneton man was fined $10,000 after authorities discovered over 700 frozen and taxidermied native animals, including endangered species, at his home and business.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australian-man-fined-for-possessing-700-taxidermied-animals

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Cite as: Global wildlife possession and trade violations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-wildlife-possession-and-trade-violations