the MNR
A Manitoba man has been fined $3,000 for the illegal possession and transportation of a woodland caribou.
Dale Vandepoele, 41, of Ste. Rose Du Lac, pleaded guilty to three charges under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, of possessing and transporting a caribou hide, and making a false statement to a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer.
He was fined $1,000 for each charge.
Court heard that on Feb. 10, 2007, conservation officers investigated a complaint received by the MNR tips line.
The tip advised that a group conducting drilling at a remote site 800 km northeast of Nakina was involved in the illegal snaring of a forest-dwelling woodland caribou.
Five days later, conservation officers intercepted Vandepoele, a member of this group, at the R. Elmer Ruddick Nakina Airport, where he was apprehended following inspection of his luggage.
Officers seized a number of woodland caribou parts, including antlers and a hide, which were forfeited to the Crown.
Officers also found a camera with photos of illegal activities involving the caribou at the remote drill site and of the accused, who witnessed the activities.
Vandepoele made a false statement to officers indicating he received the caribou from an aboriginal person.
The case was heard May 13 in Thunder Bay.
