Discovery of Altered Permits Lead to Guilty Pleas After Wildlife Enforcement Investigation

December 10, 2009

NEWMARKET, Ontario – A fifteen-month wildlife enforcement investigation conducted by Environment Canada has ended with an individual pleading guilty to six counts in the Ontario Court of Justice – Criminal Division in Newmarket.

Cyril D’Souza of Uxbridge Township, Ontario, pleaded guilty to three counts of knowingly furnishing false or misleading information and three counts of unlawfully exporting an animal part from Canada. The charges involve three African Lion hunting trophies, allegedly from South Africa and Zimbabwe. The fines paid will total $18,000 -- $3,000 for each count.

The Environment Canada investigation, dubbed “Operation Trophy Tales,” led to the discovery of altered copies of export permits originally issued by South Africa and Zimbabwe in compliance with the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

CITES is an international agreement to regulate trade in specific species of wild animals and plants, as well as their respective parts and derivatives. Environment Canada is the lead agency responsible for CITES implementation in Canada. WAPPRIITA is the legislation used to implement CITES in Canada.

Further information on CITES and WAPPRIITA may be found at www.cites.ec.gc.ca.