Two men from northern Italy have been fined a record 60 million Sri Lankan rupees (€180,425) for attempting to smuggle hundreds of insects out of Yala National Park earlier this month. If they fail to pay the fine by 24 September, they face up to two years in jail.
The men, identified as 68-year-old Luigi Ferrari and his 28-year-old son Mattia, both from Modena, were convicted in September for the illegal collection, possession, and transportation of wildlife. This fine marks the highest-ever penalty imposed for wildlife crime in Sri Lanka.
Insects Found in Hundreds of Jars
The father and son were arrested on 8 May after safari park rangers discovered hundreds of jars filled with insects in the boot of their car, including 92 species of butterflies. The rangers were alerted by a safari jeep driver who reported seeing the pair with insect nets entering the forest under suspicious circumstances. Upon investigation, rangers found that the insects had been lured using animal attractants and were chemically preserved with wax sachets.
All of the insects found in the jars were dead due to exposure to the chemicals.
Legal Consequences and Detainment
The Ferrari duo had been vacationing in Sri Lanka at the time of their arrest and have remained in the country since the incident. Luigi Ferrari, who works in several private clinics in Reggio Emilia and Modena, is a member of the Modenese Natural Sciences group and a well-known insect enthusiast.
Yala National Park: A Haven for Protected Species
Yala National Park, where the smuggling attempt occurred, is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries, covering nearly 130,000 hectares. It is home to protected species including leopards, elephants, and buffalos. Sri Lanka boasts 245 species of butterflies, 25 of which are endemic to the island, with some, such as the critically endangered Ceylon rose, facing severe threats.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of wildlife protection in Sri Lanka, where rare species continue to be targeted by traffickers.
Key Notes
- Record Fine: Two Italian men were fined 60 million Sri Lankan rupees (€180,425), the highest-ever fine for wildlife crime in Sri Lanka.
- Smuggling Incident: Luigi Ferrari, 68, and his son Mattia, 28, were caught attempting to smuggle hundreds of insects, including 92 butterfly species, from Yala National Park.
- Arrest Details: The men were arrested on 8 May after rangers found jars of insects in their car, dead due to chemical preservatives used by the smugglers.
- Legal Consequences: The men face up to two years in jail if they fail to pay the fine by 24 September.
- Wildlife Protection: Yala National Park is a key wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka, home to critically endangered species like the Ceylon rose butterfly.
- Ongoing Detainment: Both men have remained in Sri Lanka since their arrest and conviction. Luigi Ferrari is an insect enthusiast and member of the Modenese Natural Sciences group.
