OFTEN PERSONS CLAIM they are ignorant on the law relating to the protection of wildlife in Jamaica, especially dealing with certain endangered species.
In light of that we will be giving a synopsis on the Wildlife Protection Act. The act was introduced to give the police and game warden powers to deal with offenders and to preserve certain wildlife such as animals, birds and fishes peculiar Jamaica and make provisions for hunting of birds at a prescribed time of year.
Section 4 of the act states that every person who:
1 (a) Hunts any animal bird in a game sanctuary; or
(b) Takes the nest or egg or any bird in a game sanctuary; or
(c) Is found within a game sanctuary under circumstances showing that he was hunting any animal or birds; or
(d) Takes any dog into or knowingly permits any dog to enter or be in a game
(e) sanctuary or carries in a game sanctuary any gun, catapult or other weapon capable of being used to hunt animals or birds - is guilty of an offence.
2. Any person found in a game sanctuary in possession of any animal, bird, bird's nest or egg shall be deemed to have hunted such animal or bird or taken such nest or egg in such game sanctuary unless the contrary be proven.
Section 6 states that:
1. No person shall hunt any protected animal or protected bird and
2. Every person who:
(a) contravenes the provision of Sub Section 1; or
(b) has in his possession the whole or any part of any protected bird is guilty of an offence.
Next week we will look at a number of other sections including the power of search and some wildlife which are protected under the act.
DPP SEEKS WITNESS
The Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking the public's assistance in locating seven persons who are material witnesses in cases now before the courts.
They are Reuben Mighty of St. Paul's Lane, Tower Hill, Kingston 11, Paul Alphanso Greyson of Riverton City, Coleen Mae Barrett, Elseda Murray, George Plummer, all of Portmore Villa, Gregory Park, Pamella Buckley and Patrick Myers, otherwise called 'Yellow Man', both of Central Village, St. Catherine.
Persons with information on the first six persons named are being asked to contact Detective Sergeant Blackstock at the Greater Portmore Police Station at 949-8403, while the investigating officer in the last one is Detective Sergeant V. Smith who can be reached at the same number. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions can also be contacted at 922-6231.
On The Beat is a production of the Constabulary Communication Network. For further information contact Inspector Victor Henry, Detective Sergeant Jubert Llewellyn and Corporal Oniel Patterson at 978-2214.
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