A Saskatchewan-based company has been fined $60,000 for illegally importing taxidermy mounts, including those of baboons, giraffes, and hippos.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the company was found to have imported the mounts without the required permits and documentation. The mounts were seized by the CBSA in 2018 and 2019 at the Saskatoon International Airport.
The company pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. The act regulates the import and export of wildlife and their products in order to protect endangered species and their habitats.
The company was fined $20,000 for each count, totaling $60,000. The fines will be directed towards the Environmental Damages Fund, which supports projects that benefit the conservation and protection of wildlife.
The seized mounts included a baboon, a giraffe, and a hippo, all of which are listed as endangered or vulnerable species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES is an international agreement that regulates the trade of endangered species to ensure their survival in the wild.
The CBSA reminds individuals and businesses that it is their responsibility to obtain the necessary permits and documentation before importing or exporting wildlife and their products. Failure to do so can result in fines and the seizure of the items.
The CBSA also encourages the public to report any suspicious or illegal wildlife trade activities to the Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of following regulations and laws in order to protect endangered species and their habitats. The CBSA will continue to work with its partners to prevent the illegal import and export of wildlife and their products.
