Czech scientists involved in smuggling insects

The two, who had no clearance or permission to collect the insects, had apparently obtained their booty at the Singalila National Park. Svacha also hosts a website that offers rare butterflies on sale. Authorities believe that they might be part of a global network that trades in endangered varieties of insects. However, a petition asking for an early hearing and their release has been circulated by Dr. H.C. Sharma, Chairman of Council for International Congress of Entomology, stating that Svacha was surveying and collecting specimens needed to complete the fourth volume of his book on Identification key to the larvae of longhorn beetles. The question is: “Why without prior permission?"

August 2008