A Hunter Valley man has been prosecuted over keeping a banned African pygmy hedgehog.
The 23-year-old man from Raymond Terrace was fined $770 and received a criminal conviction.
Despite its cute looks, the African pygmy hedgehog is prohibited in Australia for its potential to introduce exotic animal diseases.
The Department of Primary Industries says hedgehogs also have an impact on native species including insects, snails, lizards and ground nesting birds.
The hedgehog was confiscated and euthanized.
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