A resident of Cumana Village, Toco was granted $1,000 bail by a magistrate on Tuesday after he was charged with being in possession of an endangered Pawi bird.
The Pawi, also known as the Trinidad Piping Guan or ‘wild turkey’ (Pipile pipile), was designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS) in 2005 under the ESS Rules, 2001. The Pawi is also protected under the Conservation of Wildlife Act, Chapter 67:01 and attracts visitors from across the world. Selected locations in Grand Riviere, such as the Pawi Nature Resort, are among the sites where the bird can be seen in its natural habitat.
The man was charged under Section 70 (2) of the Environmental Management Act, Chapter 35:05.
The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) said a report was received of the Pawi being held in captivity in a cage at the man’s residence.
Members of the EMA’s Environmental Police Unit and the Wildlife Section of the Forestry Division, went to the suspect's home on Monday. The suspect, who was not identified, will return to court on November 21.
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.
On October 15, two Chinese nationals and a Trinidadian were spared being sent to prison when admitted to possession of the carcass of a juvenile Scarlet Ibis.
The trio was held on October 14 with the protected bird while at El Socorro by Game Warden Richard Ramlogan.
The accused - Jaing Hui Feng, 30, a restaurant manager in the El Socorro area, Jin Feng Feng, 30, a cook at the restaurant and Alion Ramkhawan, a handyman, of San Juan, appeared before Magistrate Sanara Toon in the Third Court and pleaded guilty to the offence.
The Scarlet Ibis has been designated as an ESS.
