LEADER-POST (Regina, Saskatchewan) 16 December 04 Hefty fine for keeping reptiles (Julie Saccone)
Saskatoon (CanWest News Service): A 31-year-old Aberdeen-area man was convicted of illegal possession of reptiles and fined more than $2,000 after conservation officials seized 15 snakes and an alligator from an area trailer.
Acting on a tip from the public, officers found the dangerous reptiles in November. Fifteen snakes, which included 12 pythons and three boa constrictors, along with an American alligator were seized from the makeshift home trailer.
"Constrictors themselves have a very long lifespan up to 40 years and they grow to be very large," conservation officer for Saskatchewan Environment Doug Lucyshyn said, noting the snakes ranged in size from babies up to almost four metres in length.
"If these snakes aren't cared for properly ... they can become aggressive and fairly dangerous," he said, noting the trailer was not close to any neighbours. Lucyshyn said it is believed the snakes were to be bred.
The provinces wildlife act does not allow individuals to hold in captivity constrictors or poisonous snakes without a licence or to import and export wildlife without a licence, he said.
"We don't want to introduce any different or new diseases into our national wildlife and we want to prevent the introduction of a species that may compete with native wildlife," he said, citing examples of the effects of the introduction of purple loosestrife and zebra mussels.
Curt Halabura was charged and convicted of one count of unlawfully possessing wildlife, three counts of illegally importing wildlife and one charge for illegally exporting wildlife.
He was fined $2,150.
"We don't have very many cases like this," Lucyshyn said. "We seldom encounter these types of things."
The reptiles will be transported to a facility in Drumheller, Alta., pending further direction from the department.