(Trinidad Express) A Toco man appeared before a Sangre Grande Magistrate on Tuesday charged with possession of protected bird.
The man was granted bail in the sum of $1,000.
A release issued by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) stated that the man was charged under Section 70 (2) of the Environmental Management Act, Chapter 35:05 for being in possession of a Pawi also known as the Trinidad Piping Guan or wild turkey.
The Pawi was designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS) in 2005 under the ESS Rules, 2001.
The EMA stated that officers responded to a report of the Pawi being held in a cage at a residence in Cumana Village. A joint exercise was conducted by members of the EMA Environmental Police Unit and the Wildlife Section of the Forestry Division, on Monday.
The homeowner was detained and later charged at the Toco police station.
He will return to court on Wednesday.
The EMA stated that the penalty for knowingly or recklessly undertaking or conspiring to allow any activity, which may have an adverse impact on an ESS, is liable on conviction on indictment, to a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for two years. The Pawi is also protected under the Conservation of Wildlife Act, Chapter 67:01.
