German Charged With Shipping Tarantulas

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

LOS ANGELES — Unlike many of the thousands of people who smuggle wildlife into Los Angeles every year, the authorities say, Sven Koppler chose not to conceal his exotic tarantulas under his clothing. They say he bundled them in multicolored straws or plastic containers and sent them in boxes through the United States Postal Service.

Mr. Koppler, 37, arrived in Los Angeles from his native Germany on Wednesday intending to meet an associate in the tarantula trade, said Mark Williams, an assistant United States attorney here with the environmental crimes section. Agents from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service took him into custody as he left the airport. “This will definitely have a significant impact on the tarantula trade, given the volume of tarantulas this guy was selling,” Mr. Williams said.

Tarantulas can fetch up to $1,000 each for females of breeding age.

Mr. Koppler was charged Thursday morning with one count of illegally importing wildlife into the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Mr. Koppler remained in federal custody, and a public defender was assigned to him.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/us/04spiderman.html

[Orrex]

1. I hear that he was selling them over the web.

[frylock]

2. i just spit pale ale on my phone..

thanks. a lot.

[Orrex]

5. Glad to be of service!

:spray:

[BobTheSubgenius]

12. +1

[frylock]

3. the fuck?! $1000 bucks apiece?

i see them all over the local trails i ride. anyone know how to determine the sex of tarantulas? j/k

[a la izquierda]

4. no shit...

in the early summer you can find them warming themselves on the rural highways in oklahoma. gotta be careful on the bicycle. those fuckers jump and are easily startled. i usually see them smashed, which, no offense to the tarantulas, is how i prefer my spiders. i have severe arachnaphobia.

[awoke_in_2003]

10. same here...

I extended my grandfathers saying about snakes to include spiders. He always said "the only good snake is a dead one". I know they are necessary in the grand scheme of things, but they freak me the fuck out.

[Ginto]

17. I am always amazed by those that only love the "cute" animals. nt

[formercia]

14. I remember that

When I liven in Edmond as a student, I brought one home as a pet. Fed it crickets. It was fun to watch. They were all over the place.

[a la izquierda]

15. *shivers*

my neighbor has one. i had no idea about the tarantula until i walked in their house and stood next to the tank. i said "whatcha got in there?" about 10 seconds before i saw it, jumped back and knocked their son over.
fuck me, i hate spiders. i do not like seeing them on rides.

[Kali]

6. the local variety rarely retails for more than $10 or 20

I wish I could start a fad selling those hugemongous Mexican General grasshoppers in the fall.

[Kali]

7. yes - those ones you see out on the trails are all males

}(
you could try following them as they are looking for females too - they tend to stay in their burrows

[a la izquierda]

13. Ugh, god...

EWWW!
When I mountain bike at night, and shine my light on the ground, I can see the reflective eyes of wolf spiders. Eeep. Needless to say, I never want to crash.

[Skink]

8. They taste like chicken.

What?

[RushIsRot]

9. EVERYTHING tastes like chicken, except maybe chicken.

[NBachers]

11. Saved in the Nick of Time

[pitohui]

16. a thousand bucks for a TARANTULA?

what's wrong w. people???

[Ginto]

18. Animal breeders will pay top dollars for the chance to breed some of the rarer species.

No different than any hobby.