Alberta hunter sentenced for unlawful hunting in national wildlife area

Medicine Hat, Alberta – June 29, 2018 – Environment and Climate Change Canada

Enforcing Canadian environmental and wildlife laws is one important way that Environment and Climate Change Canada is taking action to protect wildlife and nature.

On June 14, 2018, Jeremy Fedun (from Thorhild, Alberta) pleaded guilty in the Provincial Court of Alberta to one count of hunting illegally in a national wildlife area. This contravention of the Wildlife Area Regulations is an offence under the Canada Wildlife Act. Mr. Fedun was fined $5,000, which will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund, and was ordered to forfeit the elk meat, skull, and antlers.

On November 16, 2016, an Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officer discovered an elk kill site within a closed section of the Canadian Forces Base Suffield National Wildlife Area during a patrol. The officer collected forensic evidence and, after an investigation, Mr. Fedun was charged.

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Forces Base Suffield National Wildlife Area was established in 2003 to protect and conserve native prairie grasslands and wildlife, including many species at risk. Its 458 square kilometres of diverse habitats support a wide range of wildlife species, many of which have declined or disappeared elsewhere across the Canadian prairies. The National Wildlife Area is managed under delegation of authority from Environment and Climate Change Canada to the Department of National Defence.
• Wildlife enforcement officers along with military police enforce the Canada Wildlife Act and the Wildlife Area Regulations by patrolling the Canadian Forces Base Suffield National Wildlife Area to monitor compliance.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada enforces federal wildlife legislation that protects plant and animal species throughout Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada collaborates with other federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, and international agencies and organizations.

Contacts

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
ec.media.ec@canada.ca