Two Toronto-area hunters have been fined here for hunting trumpeter swans at the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area near Grand Valley.
According to Environment Canada, the two men entered a plea of guilty to one offence each under the Migratory Birds Convention Act 1999.
Luther Marsh is managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority, which owns most of the 5,600 hectare property. It is one of the most important wetland areas in southern Ontario, providing habitat for a great variety of wildlife.
The men were fined in a court in Orangeville on June 2.
Duarte Carvalho and Joaquim Inacio were each sentenced to pay a $1,500 fine.
In September, hunters reported that two large white birds had been shot at Luther Marsh near Grand Valley. An Environment Canada Enforcement Branch officer and conservation officers from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources arrived at the marsh and, after questioning, laid charges against the two hunters.
In addition to the fine, Carvalho and Inacio are prohibited for one year from applying for, using or holding a migratory bird hunting permit.
Trumpeter swans were once hunted and harassed to the point where, in 1933, only 77 were breeding in Canada.
The swan carcasses in this case had large yellow wing tags indicating they were part of a restoration project to boost the trumpeter swan population in Ontario.
Environment Canada investigates offences with the objective of ensuring that companies, governments and the general public comply with legislation and regulations that protect migratory birds.
Environment Canada supports the conservation and protection of Canada’s natural capital through the enforcement of the Migratory Birds Convention Act 1994, Canada Wildlife Act, Species at Risk Act and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.
