Justice and Public Safety
May 13, 2016

Fish and Wildlife Investigation Leads to Charges

On April 26, 2016, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers with the Corner Brook detachment received a complaint from the public that a cow moose carrying a near full-term calf had been shot and killed near Templeton Academy in the Town of Meadows on the north shore of the Bay of Islands.

Officers investigated and confirmed that a cow moose had been shot within 250 metres of the school and that the meat had been taken. The dead calf had been removed from the remains and was left on the ground.

After a week-long investigation, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers executed search warrants on May 4 and 5 at two residences in Meadows. As a result of the searches, charges under the Wildlife Act are pending against two adult male residents of Meadows. These include killing big game during the closed time, illegal possession of big game and discharging a firearm within 1,000 metres of a school.

The two men are expected to make court appearances at Provincial Court in Corner Brook at a later date.

Items seized as a result of this investigation included seven firearms, an Arctic Cat ATV, a Honda ATV and a quantity of moose meat.

This incident is the latest example of how the public plays an important role in assisting Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers in protecting the province�s wildlife and fish resources. We encourage anyone who sees suspicious activity to report it anonymously and toll-free at any time of the day, by calling 1-877-820-0999, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Anonymous online reports can also be submitted at www.stoppoaching.ca or www.nlcrimestoppers.com .

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Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca

2016 05 13                              3:50 p.m.