Closed season for wild animals now in place

WILD MEAT lovers have been given a reminder that they are to put up their hunting gear for a few months as the closed season for mammals is now in place.

The closed season for mammals such as manicou, the agouti as well as reptiles like the iguana runs from February 1-September 30, the Forestry Services in the Ministry of Agriculture has said.

This will allow these species time to be replenished ahead of the next open season.

The Ministry has reminded that persons found violating this sanction, which is covered under the Wildlife Protection Act, runs the risk of jail time or a fine of several hundreds of dollars.

Therefore, any person who: a. Hunts, or is a member of a party engaged

in hunting any protected wildlife.

b. Takes or disturbs the egg, or young of any protected wildlife.

c. Damages or destroys the nest, or young of any protected wildlife.

d. Has in his possession or control any protected wildlife or part thereof.

e. Exposes or offers for sale or purchase any protected wildlife or any part thereof, or the egg, or young thereof, is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of two thousand ($2000.00) dollars and in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of four thousand ($4000.00) dollars and imprisonment for one (1) year.

Persons are also reminded that it is an offence to hunt in any Forest Reserve.