<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A university student has been fined $35,000 after attempting to smuggle over 100 insects and spiders out of Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The student named Qiran Zhang was stopped at Sydney International Airport, and upon investigation he was found to have 125 different specimens in his luggage.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This included a carabid beetle, a giant rainforest centipede, a banded desert centipede, banded huntsman spiders and an atlas rainforest beetle.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span></span><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-cnn-poll-worst-disapproval-rating-ever/9de1f1b2-6c22-400e-8e61-f077957599c5" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Trump plummets to a stunning new low</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Up to 76 of the specimens found were of regulated native species.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, exporting native wildlife without a permit is illegal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those found guilty could face penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $330,000, or both.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-australia-insect-smuggling/1063ceb7-611e-4f50-877c-db9fa236673d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ultimately, Zhang pleaded guilty to all charges, was convicted and fined.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The still live animals were sent to Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney for care and identification.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is not known how many survived, but the Australian Department of Environment reminded Australians many insects do not survive illegal trade.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Legal export pathways exist. This protects animal welfare, supports ethical supply chains, and reduces demand for black market trade," they said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple App Store</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>.</span></strong></em></div></div>