Thanks for the links!
The second line under the first link says:
"Unfortunately we are prohibited by law from Importing and Exporting Reptiles Overseas!" So that doesn't sound very promising.
Bill was actually a presenter at the World Congress of Herpetology when it was held in Australia. He had a great time there. But they knew he was with the herp group, and made him dismantle his camera when he left so they could check for herps small enough to fit into it, I guess. This excerpt from your link gives a good idea of the mindset of Australian wildlife officials:
"Prior to the congress Australian authorities received 12 applications from overseas based herpetologists to export reptiles from Australia for scientific purposes. All 12 were rejected. The reason was simple, 'Australia won't allow the export of wildlife for any reason'. Such a blinkered attitude does nothing for Australia's conservation of wildlife or our international reputation. It only serves to increase the incentive for otherwise law-abiding people to break wildlife laws. Such did in fact occur. One delegate got busted for bringing a few preserved specimens into the country, while another was caught for importing live freshwater tortoises. A third attendee was picked up for carrying dope (marijuana/Indian hemp/cannabis) when strip-searched upon arrival at Sydney's Mascot airport.
Federal and state wildlife and customs authorities had a full-scale national operation planned around the congress. Officials got hold a list of all attendees to the congress and many were closely watched on the presumption of guilt when they were merely going about their lawful business. Two separate people complained of being followed by officials in their cars immediately following the congress. Strip-searches and baggage searches were more vigorous than usual. An American delegate gave me an electronic tracking chip placed under a wheel on his suitcase by officials without his knowledge when he arrived into Australia. It isn't certain how many others were marked in this way. However I cannot help but think that if the Australian authorities weren't so tight on the legal import and export of reptiles and other wildlife, then perhaps they wouldn't have to waste so much money on enforcement - or is it just a case of bureaucrats doing this to justify their existence."
A friend in Australia has been telling me for years that they feel they are closer to a very limited ability to export a few easy to breed Aussie herps, but it hasn't happened so far, AFAIK. Of course, if they now decide to allow export of easily bred species such as bearded dragons - they have missed the boat! They are already cheap and plentiful in the U.S. and Europe, lol! He has never mentioned anything in the works about importation TO Australia.
Have you heard of any private people who have legally imported INTO that country? I am unaware that anyone has been able to accomplish that daunting task!
