Incident
is largest case of protected species' poisoning in state history, Victoria
officials say
Thursday
13 September 2018 09:36
A man has
been charged over the deaths of more than 130 wedge-tailed eagles – Australia’s
largest bird of prey.
The
bodies of 136 birds were
found hidden in scrubland on properties in Tubbut, Victoria, in south east
Australia’s Snowy Mountains region, in April.
It is
alleged the man used poisoned baits to kill the protected species between
October 2016 and April 2018.
Victoria’s
Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) said it was the
largest case of wedge-tailed eagle deaths in the state’s history.
“We would
like to inform the community that investigations are ongoing, including
forensic examination of evidence recently seized during searches of relevant
properties,” a spokeswoman said.
In June,
locals told the authorities they feared the true figure could be far higher.
The
remains of the birds found were spread across four properties which covered
about 2,000 hectares.
The
Australian Broadcasting Corporation understands the man charged is not the
owner of the Tubbut properties involved.
He is
facing two charges under the Wildlife Act 1975 and has been released on bail.
The deliberate killing of this number of wedge-tailed eagles carries a maximum
penalty of up to six months’ imprisonment and fines totalling about AUS$115,000
(£63,000) the ABC said.
The man
was charged following a state-wide investigation involving more than 30 people.
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