Vancouver poacher guilty of illegally hunting dunlin and great blue heron

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- September 22, 2011 -- Hang Jian Guo, of Vancouver, was convicted in British Columbia Provincial Court for illegal hunting under the Migratory Birds Convention Act 1994.

Hang Jian Guo, charged and convicted of two counts under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, was sentenced to pay a fine of $10,000 towards the Environmental Damages Fund for illegally hunting a Great Blue Heron and 63 Dunlins. There is no hunting allowed of either species under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and it is prohibited to possess carcasses of these birds without lawful excuse.

In November 2010, after an initial response by the Delta Police Department, Environment Canada enforcement officers investigated and charged Hang Jian Guo for hunting Dunlins and the Great Blue Heron. The Dunlin is a small shore bird of the species Calidris alpina. The Great Blue Heron is a large bird of the species Ardea herodias. This particular Heron was of the subspecies Ardea herodias fannini and it is listed as species of special concern under the Species at Risk Act.

The Environmental Damages Fund, administered by Environment Canada, was created in 1995 to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders and voluntary payments for the repair of the actual harm done to the environment.

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Media Relations
Environment Canada
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