NORTH BATTLEFORD AREA RESIDENT CONVICTED OF UNLAWFULLY IMPORTING AND EXPORTING WILDLIFE

A North Battleford area resident, Carlin Nordstrom, has been convicted of unlawfully importing and exporting wildlife into and out of Saskatchewan and has been fined a total of $40,902 under The Wildlife Act and the federal Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act in provincial court in North Battleford.

In co-operation with Canadian and U.S. Border Service and the Alberta and U.S. Fish and Wildlife agencies, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment investigated numerous incidents of illegal imports/exports of wildlife in Saskatchewan. As a result of the investigation, the ministry discovered several instances where deer and elk were being imported and exported without proper authorization.

For disease management purposes, the unauthorized import of wildlife can create a significant risk to Saskatchewan native wildlife and to the domestic livestock industry.

"Import and export permits are an important tool in monitoring the movement of provincial wildlife and product," Compliance and Field Services Branch Compliance and Enforcement Chief Ken Aube said. "Saskatchewan has an effective framework in place to support the legal national and international trade in wildlife and wildlife product and to prevent the importing of diseased animals."

Anyone who is aware of or who suspects wildlife, fisheries or environmental violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Ministry of Environment office or to call the province's toll-free Turn In Poacher (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cell phone subscribers. Callers may be eligible for cash rewards of up to $2,000 through the SASKTIP Reward Program.

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For more information, contact:

Michele McEachern
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0412
Email: michele.mceachern@gov.sk.ca