A very expensive homecoming for the doctor Luigi Ferrari and his son Mattia, arrested last May 9 in Sri Lanka on charges of having attempted to smuggle hundreds of butterflies, insects and plants, stolen from a national park. “They paid the fine and the ban on repatriation to which they were subjected was removed thanks to the intervention of the embassy. Tomorrow (today, ed.) they will return to Italy”, the Farnesina reported. The orthopedic surgeon from Sassuolo (in the province of Modena) and his 28-year-old son were ordered to pay the Asian country over 180 thousand euros in compensation. The two were there on holiday when, at the end of an excursion in the Kataragama Kochi Pathana nature reserve, they were stopped by wildlife rangers who became suspicious of some blue and purple lights in the possession of Ferrari, a great enthusiast of entomology. The search of their backpacks revealed hundreds of insects in dozens of glass jars, bottles and bags as well as numerous leaves of native plants: according to local newspapers, they were 92 species of butterflies and 160 other insects belonging to nine different species of dragonflies. Father and son ended up in handcuffs. During the hearing that took place in recent days, the two – after consulting with their lawyers – pleaded guilty. Then, the sentence: a fine of over 180 thousand euros to avoid a sentence of two years in prison. Having paid the bill with justice, yesterday they took the first flight and today they will be in Italy.
Daniel Petrone
Table of Contents
The Arrest and Expensive Homecoming of Dr. Luigi Ferrari and Son Mattia
In a shocking turn of events, Dr. Luigi Ferrari, an orthopedic surgeon from Sassuolo, Italy, and his 28-year-old son Mattia, were arrested in Sri Lanka on May 9th on charges of attempting to smuggle hundreds of butterflies, insects, and plants from a national park. The story of their arrest, fine, and eventual return to Italy is a cautionary tale of the importance of respecting local laws and regulations, especially when it comes to wildlife conservation.
The Incident
According to reports, Dr. Ferrari and his son were on holiday in Sri Lanka when they went on an excursion to the Kataragama Kochi Pathana nature reserve. It was during this trip that wildlife rangers became suspicious of some blue and purple lights in Dr. Ferrari’s possession, leading to a search of their backpacks. The search revealed hundreds of stolen butterflies, insects, and plants, prompting the authorities to arrest the pair.
Consequences and Intervention
Dr. Ferrari and his son were not only arrested but also subjected to a ban on repatriation. However, thanks to the intervention of the Italian embassy, the ban was lifted after the pair paid a hefty fine of over 180,000 euros in compensation to the Sri Lankan government. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting local laws and regulations, especially when it comes to wildlife conservation.
Dr. Luigi Ferrari: More than Just a Name
It is worth noting that the name Luigi Ferrari is not unique to the orthopedic surgeon from Sassuolo. According to the Enciclopedia Treccani, there was another Luigi Ferrari, born in 1849 in Rimini, Italy, who was the son of Count Sallustio and Countess Teresa Rasponi [[1]]. This Luigi Ferrari was a member of the Italian nobility, and it is unclear if he had any connection to the field of medicine or entomology.
Furthermore, there is another Luigi Ferrari who serves as the current Italian Ambassador to Turkmenistan, having assumed the role on November 27, 2022 [[2]]. This Luigi Ferrari is a diplomat, and it is unclear if he has any connection to the orthopedic surgeon from Sassuolo or the noble from Rimini.
In addition, there is also a Luigi Ferrari who was a librarian and lived in Venice from 1920 to 1948 [[3]]. This Luigi Ferrari was dedicated to his work as a librarian and was an important figure in the cultural landscape of Venice during that time.
Conclusion
The story of Dr. Luigi Ferrari and his son Mattia serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting local laws and regulations, especially when it comes to wildlife conservation. While the incident was certainly an expensive and embarrassing one for the pair, it also highlights the importance of responsible tourism and the need to prioritize the protection of the environment and wildlife. As Dr. Ferrari and his son return to Italy, they will undoubtedly have a newfound appreciation for the importance of respecting local laws and regulations.
References:
<a href="https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/luigi-ferrarires-0d817937-87ed-11dc-8e9d-0016357eee51(Dizionario-Biografico)/”>[1]
The Arrest and Expensive Homecoming of Dr. Luigi Ferrari and Son Mattia
In a shocking turn of events, Dr. Luigi Ferrari, an orthopedic surgeon from Sassuolo, Italy, and his 28-year-old son Mattia, were arrested in Sri Lanka on May 9th on charges of attempting to smuggle hundreds of butterflies, insects, and plants from a national park. The story of their arrest, fine, and eventual return to Italy is a cautionary tale of the importance of respecting local laws and regulations, especially when it comes to wildlife conservation.
The Incident
According to reports, Dr. Ferrari and his son were on holiday in Sri Lanka when they went on an excursion to the Kataragama Kochi Pathana nature reserve. It was during this trip that wildlife rangers became suspicious of some blue and purple lights in Dr. Ferrari’s possession, leading to a search of their backpacks. The search revealed hundreds of stolen butterflies, insects, and plants, prompting the authorities to arrest the pair.
Consequences and Intervention
Dr. Ferrari and his son were not only arrested but also subjected to a ban on repatriation. However, thanks to the intervention of the Italian embassy, the ban was lifted after the pair paid a hefty fine of over 180,000 euros in compensation to the Sri Lankan government. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting local laws and regulations, especially when it comes to wildlife conservation.
The Investigation and Sentence
During the hearing that took place in recent days, the two – after consulting with their lawyers – pleaded guilty. Then, the sentence: a fine of over 180,000 euros to avoid a sentence of two years in prison. According to local newspapers, they were caught with 92 species of butterflies and 160 other insects belonging to nine different species of dragonflies [[1]][[2]][[3]].
Dr. Luigi Ferrari: More than Just a Name
It is worth noting that the name Luigi Ferrari is not unique to the orthopedic surgeon from Sassuolo. There was another Luigi Ferrari, born in 1849 in Rimini, Italy, who was the son of Count Sallustio and Countess Teresa Rasponi. This Luigi Ferrari was a member of the Italian nobility, and it is unclear if he had any connection to the field of medicine or entomology.
Furthermore, there is another Luigi Ferrari who serves as the current Italian Ambassador to Turkmenistan, having assumed the role on November 27, 2022. This Luigi Ferrari is a diplomat, and it is unclear if he