Forensics leads to poaching charges
Written by Pamela Roth
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
It’s been more than two years since five bighorn sheep were found shot and left for dead in the mountains southwest of Pincher Creek, but now charges have been laid against two Cardston men in relation to the senseless poachings.
Fish and Wildlife officers received several tips from the public during their investigation of the case, especially when a $10,000 incentive was added by various fish and game associations to help nab the poachers.
But it was forensic evidence gathered by Fish and Wildlife officials that eventually lead to charges being laid against the two men, according to Alberta Sustainable Resource Development spokesperson Darcy Whiteside
“There are definite difficulties in catching a poacher. It’s typically done in uninhabited areas, but we do have an excellent forensic team,” said Whiteside. “Fish and Wildlife officers take their investigations very seriously. Hunters are excellent conservationists and respect the law, and poachers are definitely not part of the hunting community.”
The first poaching incident was reported to officials in December 2006 when two rams and one ewe were found in a mountain area 25 kilometres southwest of Pincher Creek. The second incident happened Jan. 13, 2007, three to four kilometres north of the initial location, when another ram and ewe were shot, with the ram’s head being taken and the bodies of both animals left to rot.
Biologists studying bighorn sheep in the Yarrow Canyon, north of Waterton, fear poaching could have a drastic effect on the flock. At the time of the poachings, researchers collared about 40 sheep and found lamb survival hadn’t been good in the area, with only 45 per cent of the lambs surviving to 10 months old.
Research collected during that time also showed the bighorn sheep population has stayed between 200 and 250 since 1994, and an aerial survey showed there were 250 sheep in 2005. Ewe survival was also on the low end compared to other populations of sheep.
It’s not known if those numbers have improved since there hasn’t been any studies done since the time of the poachings. What is known, however, is there hasn’t been any additional reports of poaching in the area.
“Things in the area appear to be normal,” said biologist Mike Jokinen with the Alberta Conservation Society, who’s been studying the Yarrow/Castle bighorn sheep population since 2002. “From what we can see and we know, there hasn’t been any additional poaching events.”
The poaching of bighorns, especially ewes, is taken very seriously especially during the winter months since it’s likely an ewe is carrying a lamb. Another population survey of bighorn sheep in the area is expected to be conducted next winter.
The two men, whose names are not being released at this time, face charges of unlawful possession of wildlife, hunting during closed season and wasting edible meat of a big-game animal. The pair made their first appearance in Pincher Creek Provincial court in mid-December and will be back in court Feb. 24.
Anyone who knows of a poaching incident is asked to call the report-a-poacher line at 1-800-642-3800
Written by Pamela Roth
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
It’s been more than two years since five bighorn sheep were found shot and left for dead in the mountains southwest of Pincher Creek, but now charges have been laid against two Cardston men in relation to the senseless poachings.
Fish and Wildlife officers received several tips from the public during their investigation of the case, especially when a $10,000 incentive was added by various fish and game associations to help nab the poachers.
But it was forensic evidence gathered by Fish and Wildlife officials that eventually lead to charges being laid against the two men, according to Alberta Sustainable Resource Development spokesperson Darcy Whiteside
“There are definite difficulties in catching a poacher. It’s typically done in uninhabited areas, but we do have an excellent forensic team,” said Whiteside. “Fish and Wildlife officers take their investigations very seriously. Hunters are excellent conservationists and respect the law, and poachers are definitely not part of the hunting community.”
The first poaching incident was reported to officials in December 2006 when two rams and one ewe were found in a mountain area 25 kilometres southwest of Pincher Creek. The second incident happened Jan. 13, 2007, three to four kilometres north of the initial location, when another ram and ewe were shot, with the ram’s head being taken and the bodies of both animals left to rot.
Biologists studying bighorn sheep in the Yarrow Canyon, north of Waterton, fear poaching could have a drastic effect on the flock. At the time of the poachings, researchers collared about 40 sheep and found lamb survival hadn’t been good in the area, with only 45 per cent of the lambs surviving to 10 months old.
Research collected during that time also showed the bighorn sheep population has stayed between 200 and 250 since 1994, and an aerial survey showed there were 250 sheep in 2005. Ewe survival was also on the low end compared to other populations of sheep.
It’s not known if those numbers have improved since there hasn’t been any studies done since the time of the poachings. What is known, however, is there hasn’t been any additional reports of poaching in the area.
“Things in the area appear to be normal,” said biologist Mike Jokinen with the Alberta Conservation Society, who’s been studying the Yarrow/Castle bighorn sheep population since 2002. “From what we can see and we know, there hasn’t been any additional poaching events.”
The poaching of bighorns, especially ewes, is taken very seriously especially during the winter months since it’s likely an ewe is carrying a lamb. Another population survey of bighorn sheep in the area is expected to be conducted next winter.
The two men, whose names are not being released at this time, face charges of unlawful possession of wildlife, hunting during closed season and wasting edible meat of a big-game animal. The pair made their first appearance in Pincher Creek Provincial court in mid-December and will be back in court Feb. 24.
Anyone who knows of a poaching incident is asked to call the report-a-poacher line at 1-800-642-3800
