Just to note that here in South Africa, we are finally getting some
(although not all) courts to take environmental crimes seriously. Just
recently the Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency prosecuted two men for
stealing critically endangered cycads near Barberton. When the men were
arrested, they assaulted the MTPA officers.
The two men were found guilty, and sentenced to 6 months suspended for 3
years on assault, and six years in prison (not suspended) for the theft of
the cycads (the maximum penalty is 10 years). The cycads were all
recovered, and most should survive to be replanted in the wild.
Giles
------------------
Giles Mulholland
4-site planning cc (making the future happen)
P.O. Box 162, Schagen 1207, South Africa
Phone +27 (83) 411-2424
Fax: +27 (13) 733-3177
E-mail:
Web: www.4-siteplanning.com
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-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Smith, Alastair
Sent: 30 May 2007 05:56
To:
Subject: [Bulk] [Birding-Aus] re: killing of rare parrots [SEC=PERSONAL]
Classification : SEC=PERSONAL
Here is an update from my father concerning the court case about the regent
parrots shootings...
In the magistrates' court in Robinvale, Victoria, two men were charged on
22nd May 2007 with killing 41 Regent Parrots. They were professional
shooters employed by two almond growing companies and were required to shoot
birds which were eating the crop.
The corpses of 41 parrots were found in rabbit holes, but many foxes and
raptors were known to be feeding on the carcases of birds shot, so the
actual number of birds destroyed is likely to be much greater.
The men pleaded guilty and even acknowledged that they had heard on the ABC
that the birds were protected.
They were convicted and fined $750 each on the undertaking that they would
give evidence against their employers, Select Harvest P/L and Kyndalyn P/L
who are to appear in the same court on 5th June 2007 The defendants got off
lightly. The maximum penalties under the Wildlife Act for killing wildlife
are high. 240 penalty units or 2 years gaol plus 20 penalty units for each
head of endangered wildlife killed for endangered wildlife, and 50 penalty
units or 6 months gaol plus 5 penalty units for each head of protected
wildlife killed. (Macdonald v Borg & McManus)
Cheers
Alastair
killing of rare parrots
from [Alastair Smith] [Permanent Link][Original]
To: "'birding-aus'" <>
Subject: killing of rare parrots
From: "Alastair Smith" <>
Date: Thu, 24 May 2007 21:40:25 +1000
My father is a (birdwatching) barrister who is following this case. He has
been in touch with the court and the environmental authorities prosecuting
the case, and has promised to provide me with more comprehensive details
tomorrow.
In the meantime he said that the two men were told to shoot birds eating the
almond crop and were aware the regent parrot was an endangered species after
hearing about the birds on ABC radio. They were sorry for what they had
done. Perhaps the reason for the paltry fines was that they have agreed to
testify against the two multinational companies involved. Apparently the
companies asked for an adjournment believing a new judge would hear the case
against them but the original judge disallowed this motion and will hear the
case in the near term.
Let's hope for a significant fine and restitution against these companies!
Cheers
Alastair
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