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Severe Penalties For Wildlife Offences

A 25 year old Warragul man was convicted and fined at the Moe Magistrates Court on Friday August 19 2005 in relation to 16 charges for the possession of dead wildlife.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 22nd August 2005 - Back to News

The man was fined $4000, ordered to pay $500 costs and given a six month suspended jail sentence.

In March this year Police and DSE Wildlife Officers conducted a search of two properties in Warragul and Trafalgar, finding 27 specimens of protected wildlife. Some were kept in a freezer and others had been mounted.

DSE Wildlife Compliance Manager Charlie Franken said that the collection contained a Wedge-tailed Eagle and a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo.

"These species are declared to be notable wildlife due to conservation concerns and have a higher protection status," Mr Franken said.

"With this classification come harsher penalties of up to $12,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment. The Court could see the intent of the legislation and handed down a penalty accordingly."

Mr Franken said that other wildlife found in the man's possession were a goanna, a greater glider, kookaburras, owls, parrots and an echidna.

"The goanna had been shot and had the skin removed," Mr Franken said.

"Wildlife is protected, whether it's dead or alive or only a part of an animal. People cannot just go around picking up wildlife and doing whatever they like with it and assume it's OK or legal to do so," Mr Franken said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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