Butterfly thieves handed $200,000 fine

[Still Waters]

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 a safari park.

Rangers at Yala National Park arrested Luigi Ferrari, 68, and his 28-year-old son Mattia on 8 May this year after they were found with jars containing the insects.

The men had lured the insects with animal attractants and planned on using wax sachets to chemically preserve them, investigations show.

They were convicted in early September of illegal collection, possession and transportation of the insects, and handed the highest-ever fine for wildlife crime in the country.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgwgn4ww0jo

[Lucia62]

It is sad to me that fragile endangered butterflies died because of these two. Fines and prison are no fun, but they should have known better.