Battle against the creepy crawlies sneaking into Australia

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Battle against the creepy crawlies sneaking into Australia

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/battle-against-the-creepy-crawlies-sneaking-into-australia/2006/01/07/1136609986751.html

By Peta Fitzgerald
January 8, 2006


YAK jerky, duck gizzards and tongue, freeze-dried ice-cream for dogs, bangles made from goat's toenails and a monkey scrotum for medicinal purposes are among the strange items intercepted by Australian Quarantine officers at Sydney Airport.

Three live lobsters in a suitcase, hundreds of live angry scorpions and 150 grams of fresh shallots inside a make-up bag have also kept them busy.

Tucked away in passengers' suitcases or sent via international mail, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) intercepts a large number of odd and potentially dangerous items that find their way to Australia.

Quarantine Officer Steve Gabriel recently inspected a parcel from Canada containing what looked to be alpaca wool and seized it for accurate identification.

A postcard found inside the parcel deepened the mystery. It read: "Barbara told you Leo was dead. We couldn't keep the cat for a long time, so we sent you his fur and I hope your friend can spin and knit. When she makes you a pair of socks, make sure you wear them home."

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