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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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