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Two Ontario Hunters Convicted of Hunting Trumpeter Swans

ORANGEVILLE, Ont – June 10, 2010 – Two Toronto-area hunters pleaded guilty on June 2, 2010, to one offence each under the Migratory Birds Convention Act 1999 in an Orangeville court. Duarte Carvalho and Joaquim Inacio pleaded guilty to hunting one trumpeter swan each during a closed season. They were each sentenced to pay a monetary penalty of $1880.

In September 2009, hunters reported that two large white birds had been shot at Luther Marsh near Grand Valley, Ontario. 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, Mr. Carvalho and Mr. 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.