KITCHENER, Ontario - January 21, 1999 -- Martin Bajuk of Martin Bajuk and Sons Taxidermy, 2654 Bridge Street in New Hamburg, was fined $2500 after pleading guilty to five charges laid under the Ontario Game and Fish Act and the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act today. In addition to the fine, 118 wildlife specimens were forfeited and Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Services (CWS) previously revoked Bajuk’s 1998 Taxidermist Permit.
Charges under the Game and Fish Act are for possession of game animals for sale, failure to report acquisitions of carcasses, and failure to keep a taxidermy register.
Charges under the Migratory Birds Convention Act included the illegal possession of migratory birds and offering to sell migratory birds.
For more than a year, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Conservation Officers, with the assistance of the ministry’s Evaluation and Special Services Unit, investigated the taxidermist with regard to the possession and sale of wildlife parts in violation of provincial legislation. Environment Canada’s Game Officers were called in when it became apparent that there were possible violations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Provincial and federal officers executed a search warrant of Bajuk’s business and residence on June 30, 1998.
Under the Ontario Game and Fish Act, 118 wildlife specimens were seized. Among the specimens were deer and moose head mounts; owls, hawks, a turkey vulture, a raven, and pelts or carcasses of foxes, skunk, raccoons, opossum, coyotes and weasels. An additional 48 specimens including protected birds such as robins and game birds such as ducks and geese were seized under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Under the Act it is illegal to possess protected migratory birds and to sell migratory birds mounted or otherwise.
Taxidermists require a Taxidermist Permit issued by the CWS under the Migratory Birds Convention Act regulations if they are preparing mounts of lawfully hunted migratory birds. The sale of all migratory game birds including ducks, geese, woodcock, snipe is strictly prohibited.
Non-game migratory birds such as cardinals, goldfinches, great blue herons, robins and woodpeckers can only be kept in public collections under a CWS Scientific Permit. This allows educational institutions to collect birds found dead, such as those accidentally killed by a vehicle. The mounted specimens that were forfeited by Bajuk may be donated to an educational institution or a museum. Carcasses and pelts unsuitable for donation will be destroyed.
Evaluation and Special Services Unit supervisor Mike Morencie says, "commercialization of wildlife species is unacceptable. People can own wildlife mounts that they have lawfully hunted or received from a hunter. However, without the appropriate licence or permit, people buying or selling mounted game animals or migratory birds could be in violation of provincial or federal legislation. Individuals are cautioned about attempting to buy or sell a mounted game animal or migratory bird privately or at a yard sale, flea market, auction or antique store."
"Questions concerning the legal ways to obtain a mounted wildlife specimen other than those hunted under a permit or licence should be directed to MNR or CWS," concludes Morencie.
