Police discovered scores of reptiles, including deadly snakes and three crocodiles, in a suburban Sydney home, officials said on Saturday.
David O’Shannessy of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said his staff found three baby crocodiles, as well as snakes — including death adders, taipans, red-bellied black snakes and pythons — among more than 100 animals in the house.
Taipans and death adders are among the world’s most venomous snakes.
Also discovered were turtles, geckos, iguanas and large Australian lizards known as goannas.
Some of the reptiles were dead and others in poor physical condition, O’Shannessy said.
”It appears all these creatures were abandoned and left to starve,” he said. ”The condition [of the survivors] varies from reasonable condition to poor condition.”
Police uncovered the reptiles on Friday night when they broke into the house after neighbours expressed concern that they had not seen the man who lived there for several days.
Police were on Saturday trying to track down the man, who could face charges for illegally keeping the animals and for cruelty. — Sapa-AP