Serving the producers of the Northwest
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North Battleford, Saskatchewan
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Thursday, January 31, 2019
Whooping cranes up to 650 in the wild Submitted by Nature Saskatchewan In 1941 only 21, whooping cranes existed in the world and many thought North America’s tallest bird was doomed to extinction. Through decades of dedicated and painstaking efforts the endangered whooping cranes now number some 650 in the wild. At least 500 of those whooping cranes survive in the Wood Buffalo Aransas Texas flock that migrates through Saskatchewan; the exact number won’t be available until after counts are completed later this winter. Each spring and fall, whooping cranes migrate through Saskatchewan to and from their wintering grounds on the Texas Gulf Coast and Wood Buffalo National Park on the border between Alberta and the Northwest Territories. This past fall, 151 were observed near Marcelin, north of Saskatoon. This is the largest congregation of whooping cranes sighted in one bunch in over 100
years. Production of young was lower than average in 2018, with only six young being spotted in that large flock, a total of 24 young fledged in 2018. Over the years captive breeding of whooping cranes has been successful, with eggs or offspring being introduced in four locations in the United States to create additional populations of whoopers. Two of these re-establishment programs have failed (Idaho and Florida) while two others have achieved limited success (Wisconsin and Louisiana). Currently there are about 100 birds in the Eastern Migratory Flock summering in Wisconsin and another 50 birds in a non-migratory flock in Louisiana. Another 15 remain in Florida. There are about 165 birds in captivity, with just over 115 of those being breeding birds that are producing offspring for the reintroductions. Those birds are located in: Calgary, Alberta; Wisconsin; Louisiana; and Washington, D.C.
Through decades of dedicated and painstaking efforts the endangered whooping cranes now number some 650 in the wild. Photos by Kim Mann
American poachers face charges in Saskatchewan One sentenced to repeatedly watch Bambi
Staff According to Saskatchewan’s environment department, two Missouri hunters found guilty in one of that state’s largest deer poaching cases are facing charges in Saskatchewan. One of them is the poacher who was recently sentenced in the U.S. to, while in jail, watch the movie Bambi repeatedly. In 2016, David Berry Jr. and Cody Scott came to the province under the pretence of being duck hunters. They
illegally shot a number of white-tailed deer, an antelope, a coyote and a badger before heading back to the United States with their illegal cargo. Two Saskatchewan men were charged with aiding and abetting the Missouri hunters, as well as wasting game. They acted as drivers and assisted the poachers in storing and processing the illegally harvested wildlife. The local men also purchased a tag to help Berry Jr. and Scott take the antlers across the border.
The Saskatchewan men were fined $6,250, and were suspended from hunting for one year. Their names were not released as they voluntarily paid their fines and were not required to appear in court. If he returns to Canada, Berry Jr. faces eight charges under The Wildlife Act with potential fines in excess of $15,000 and a hunting suspension. Scott faces 14 charges with potential fines of almost $26,000 and a hunting suspension. In December, Berry Jr.
and Scott were prosecuted in Missouri as part of a poaching ring that included Berry’s father and two brothers. The prosecution resulted in fines and court costs of more than $50,000 and more than $150,000 in bonds. The U.S. case revolved around trophy bucks being taken illegally for their heads, while leaving the bodies of the deer to waste. Berry Jr. and Scott received lifetime hunting suspensions in Missouri, while Berry Jr. also received one year in jail
and was ordered to repeatedly watch the movie Bambi as part of his sentence. If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, please call your local Ministry of Environment office, Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn In Poachers line at 1-800-6677561, or call #5555 (SaskTel cellular subscribers), or report a violation online at www. saskatchewan.ca/tip. You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.