WILDLIFE TRAFFICKER FINED $41,000 AND TWO YEARS IN PENITENTIARY

Released on October 13, 2005

A Yorkton-area resident has recently been convicted of 29 wildlife-related offences, including 15 for trafficking in wildlife, and fined a total of $41,000 at provincial court in Esterhazy. The offender was also given a two-year sentence in a federal penitentiary and had his hunting and fishing privileges suspended for five years.

The convictions included various trafficking, possession, import, export and hunting offences under The Saskatchewan Wildlife Act & the federal Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.

"Activities such as trafficking in wildlife put an extra strain on the resource and make the task of managing wildlife in a sustainable manner much more difficult," Saskatchewan Environment Chief of Enforcement and Investigations Dave Harvey said.

Harvey noted that vigorous wildlife populations are signs of healthy ecosystems that support a wide variety of economic and environmental benefits for Saskatchewan residents.

"The penalties in this case indicate that the courts are now recognizing the seriousness of environmental and resource management abuses and are prepared to deal with them accordingly," Harvey said.

The province's wildlife resources generate millions of dollars in economic activity annually and are used by tourism operators, sportsmen and by Aboriginal people for sustenance.

Anyone who is aware of or suspects wildlife, fisheries or environmental violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Saskatchewan Environment office or to call the province's toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561.

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For More Information, Contact:

Dave Harvey Environment Prince Albert Phone: (306)953-2993 Cell: (306)961-1457