The Forestry Department of Saint Lucia, in a December 31 press release, condemned the killing of protected wildlife and reminded of the repercussions, following a video showing Saint Lucia boas being killed. .
According to the release, the department received a “very disturbing video”, which circulated on social media showing five Saint Lucia boas, or Tete Chien, that were bludgeoned to death.
“This extreme cruelty to wildlife is unacceptable and constitutes a major offence under the Saint Lucia Wildlife Protection Act, chapter 6.03, of 1980, revised in 2001. The Saint Lucia boa is listed as “Protected Wildlife” under schedule one of the Wildlife Act. The Forestry Department, therefore, states that it categorically condemns such irresponsible and indiscriminate killing of our protected and endemic wildlife and will in no way condone such illegal acts perpetrated by members of the public. The Forestry Department will therefore seek all legal avenues to ensure that the perpetrators of such wildlife crime receive the maximum penalty for their illegal actions.”
The Wildlife Act, Part 4, Section 14 (a) states: “Except by authority of a license or permit issued under section 10, a person commits an offence who hunts or takes any protected wildlife or the eggs, fry or young thereof;”. Similarly, Section 16 (d) states:” A person commits an offence, who for the purpose of killing or capturing any protected or partially protected wildlife, using any live animal or any decoy or appliance whatsoever;”.
The Forestry Department is collaborating with the police on the matter, and advised that charges will be laid against “the perpetrators of this horrific and disturbing wildlife crime”.
The department is also seeking the maximum penalty set out in the act, of $5 000 per animal killed or imprisonment, or both.
I really hope they can actually fine these people that did this. The laws are in place but I have never heard of anyone actually being charged with such a crime so I hope its different this time as people need to know that there are consequences for such stupid acts!
Yes agree @Christopher Kessell: Stupid, cruel and actually worrying behaviour – another form of violence in St Lucia; Animals, environment and humans – no respect for any of these things. Wake
up little island. This is your home. Try to make it the best place it can be, not destroy everything in your sight – nature is doing that already and doesn’t need your “help”!