This is such a horrible waste of life. Mass killing by one property owner of
raptors.
Calm Seas,
Catherine French
Writer, mentor, naturalist
805.570.0432
We are given only so many days, make each one count.
Sent from my iPad Air
Begin forwarded message:
From: CDFW News <noreply+feedproxy@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: March 14, 2018 at 5:54:02 PM PDT
To: cfrench1366@xxxxxxx
Subject: California Fish and Wildlife News
Reply-To: CDFW News <CDFWNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
California Fish and Wildlife News
Lassen County Man Arrested for Illegal Mass Killing of Raptors
Posted: 14 Mar 2018 08:20 AM PDT
California wildlife officers have uncovered what is likely the largest raptor
poaching case in known California history, the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife (CDFW) announced.
Wildlife officers assigned to Lassen County received an anonymous tip from
someone who reportedly witnessed a man killing a hawk near the town of
Standish. The local wildlife officer conducted surveillance, then visited the
private property and discovered nine dead raptors, which was enough evidence
to obtain a search warrant. He returned on March 11 with additional officers
and a CDFW K-9. A search of the 80-acre property led to the discovery of an
extraordinary number of raptor carcasses, other dead birds and wildlife and
spent rifle casings indicating more than 140 potential state and/or federal
violations.
Processing evidence: Wildlife officers collected over 140 carcasses of mostly
raptors, but other birds and mammals as well.
In addition to the original nine birds, they found 126 dead raptors, all in
various states of decay. Most of the birds were red tail hawks, but at least
one dead owl was found, as well as an uncommon migratory ferruginous hawk.
Officers also located two dead bobcats, one taxidermied mountain lion and
other nongame birds, all suspected to be unlawfully taken.
Property owner Richard Parker, 67, was booked into Lassen County jail on
multiple charges including take of birds of prey, take of migratory nongame
birds as designated by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, take of other
nongame birds, and possession of wildlife unlawfully taken. Additional
charges may be added as the investigation proceeds.
Wildlife officers conducting investigation: Most of the dead birds were
located at the bottom of roosting trees or manmade objects such as telephone
poles.
Staff at CDFW’s Wildlife Investigations Laboratory in Rancho Cordova are
working to positively identify the species of all of the birds.
As the top bird predators in the food chain, raptors serve an important role
in the ecosystem by controlling rodent and small mammal populations. However,
they are also particularly susceptible to environmental stressors such as
drought and habitat loss. For these reasons, biologists refer to them as an
indicator species.
Standish is located near Honey Lake and the Honey Lake Wildlife Area, with
habitat that supports a rich diversity and quantity of wildlife. The sheer
number of birds poached on the 80-acre property will undoubtedly affect the
raptor population in the immediate area.
“Poaching crimes of this egregious nature against raptors is unprecedented in
California,” said David Bess, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of the Law
Enforcement Division. “The local raptor population may take years to recover
from these killings.”
Each potential violation is a misdemeanor poaching crime at the state level,
with maximum penalties of six months in jail and up to a $5,000 fine per each
raptor. An unlawfully taken mountain lion could result in up to a $10,000
penalty. Each potential federal crime could result in additional penalties.
Media Contact:
Capt. Patrick Foy, CDFW Law Enforcement, (916) 651-6692
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