Department of Primary Industries investigators seized the animal in January last year.

The man told investigators that he obtained the animal from a friend who found it and thought it was an echidna. 

While admitting he knew the animal was an illegal import, the man said he did not believe it was a threat.

He was convicted and fined in Raymond Terrace last week.

The African pygmy hedgehog is prohibited in Australia because of its potential to introduce exotic animal diseases and its ability to become an invasive pest. 

“Hedgehogs also have the potential to seriously damage the Australian economy due to their propensity to harbour exotic animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease,” Department of Primary Industries’ director of biosecurity compliance Andrew Sanger said. 

“As a pest species they cause damage to native species including insects, snails, lizards and ground-nesting birds, particularly shore birds.’’

Other endemic diseases carried by hedgehogs including salmonella, Q fever and toxoplasmosis, can be transmitted to humans.

Further information on animal biosecurity is available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/animal