An Italian father and his son have been fined 60 million Sri Lankan rupees ($200,000; £150,000) for trying to smuggle hundreds of endemic insects – including 92 species of butterflies – out of Yala National Park.
Rangers at the safari park arrested Luigi Ferrari, 68, and his 28-year-old son Mattia on 8th May earlier this year after they were found with jars containing the specimens. They had lured the insects with animal attractants and planned on using wax sachets to chemically preserve them.
In early September they were convicted in of illegal collection, possession and transportation of the insects, and handed the highest-ever fine for wildlife crime in the country.
They could face two years in jail if they fail to pay the fine by 24 September.
Italian news reports say the men were on vacation in Sri Lanka at the time and have been held in the country since the incident.
Source: BBC Sinhala
