The Ontario government is safeguarding raptors by ensuring falconers follow licence conditions and obey the law.
Salvatore Trentadue, of Bowmanville pleaded guilty to failing to report the loss of an American kestrel, failing to report the death of a bald eagle, failing to report the acquisition of a great horned owl, unlawfully possessing a barred owl and unlawfully selling a turkey vulture. He was fined $10,000 in total. In addition, he received a probation order limiting the number of falconry birds he can possess and breed for two years. He is also prohibited from participating in the Wild Take Program, which allows falconers to capture and keep one wild bird from an approved species list each year, for two years.
The court heard that on December 17, 2019, conservation officers conducted an inspection of Trentadue’s falconry birds and records. The information gathered during the inspection was reviewed and an audit of the records was conducted. Reporting violations were identified involving an American kestrel, a bald eagle and a great horned owl. Further investigation revealed that Trentadue unlawfully possessed a barred owl and unlawfully sold a turkey vulture.
Justice of the Peace Allison Forestall heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Whitby, on January 5, 2023.
To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.
