Two Italian men, Luigi Ferrari, 68, and his 28-year-old son Mattia, have been fined 60 million Sri Lankan rupees ($200,000; £150,000) for attempting to smuggle hundreds of endemic insects, including 92 butterfly species, out of Yala National Park in Sri Lanka.
Arrested on May 8, 2024, after rangers discovered jars filled with dead insects in their vehicle, the men were convicted of illegal collection, possession, and transportation of wildlife. They used chemical preservation methods on the insects, which were found to be dead upon discovery.
This case has resulted in the highest-ever fine for wildlife crime in Sri Lanka. The men, who were on vacation, could face up to two years in prison if they do not pay the fine by September 24. The incident highlights the park’s ongoing issues with wildlife trafficking and sets a significant precedent in environmental law.
