Government has denied a pet store owner a license to import skunks and hedgehogs and sell them on as domestic pets.

The Environment Ministry confirmed last night that no new permits would be issued for the importation of the exotic creatures and added that all applications for the importation of other unusual animals will be "closely scrutinised".

A Government Information Services spokeswoman said the Department of Environmental Protection was in consultation with Pic-A-Pet owner Bryan Parkin in the hope that the owners of four hedgehogs, which were sold last month when the original license was approved, can be tracked down and given advice on how to properly look after them.

After the license was granted a first time, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries took the application under review again several weeks later.

The spokeswoman said: "It is important that we talk to the owners to emphasise the responsibility they have in caring for these animals."

She added: "We cannot deny a person the right to make an application. However, the Island's susceptibility to the effects of introduced species and the potential for establishing feral population must take precedence in the decision-making process.

"Exotic animals threaten our fragile environment and the Island's biological diversity. We cannot afford to take risks."