June 16, 2009
$3,000 FINE FOR POSSESSING WOODLAND CARIBOU
A Manitoba man has been fined $3,000 for the illegal possession and transportation of a woodland caribou.
Dale Vandepoele, 41, of Ste. Rose Du Lac, Manitoba, pleaded guilty to three charges under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, of possessing and transporting a caribou hide and making a false statement to a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer. He was fined $1,000 for each charge.
Court heard that on February 10, 2007, conservation officers investigated a complaint received by the MNR TIPS line. The tip advised that a group conducting drilling at a remote site 800 kilometres northeast of Nakina was involved in the illegal snaring of a forest-dwelling woodland caribou.
On February 15, 2007, conservation officers intercepted Vandepoele, a member of this group, at the R. Elmer Ruddick Nakina Airport, where he was apprehended following inspection of his luggage. Officers seized a number of woodland caribou parts, including antlers and a hide, which were forfeited to the Crown. Officers also found a camera with photos of illegal activities involving the caribou at the remote drill site and of the accused, who witnessed the activities. Vandepoele made a false statement to officers indicating he received the caribou from an Aboriginal person.
Justice of the Peace Marcel Donio heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on May 13, 2009.
On June 30, 2008, the Endangered Species Act came into force. The act provides protection to many of Ontario’s species at risk including the forest-dwelling, boreal population of woodland caribou, classified as threatened.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free anytime or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).