Crime Stoppers Encourages Local Residents to Help Curb Illegal and Illicit Wildlife Trafficking in York Region
Monday, February 8, 2016 – Newmarket, ON — Crime Stoppers of York Region today announced that it will host a public symposium next month to raise awareness about the growing illegal and Illicit trafficking of wildlife in York Region.
The Wildlife Symposium will take place at Newmarket Theatre on Thursday, March 31, 2016 from 6:00-9:00 pm. Joining Crime Stoppers of York Region at the Symposium will be a number of other federal, provincial and local organizations concerned about the rise in wildlife trafficking, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, YRP, The Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) and Environment Canada.
The wildlife being taken from York Region’s lakes, rivers, forests and wetlands include everything from bear and moose to rare and endangered turtles. Some of the turtles most frequently targeted by traffickers include wood turtles and spotted turtles. The global illegal wildlife trade, which includes elephant ivory tusks, is estimated to be worth approximately $30 billion a year. Animals targeted by illegal traffickers include rare species prized by collectors or endangered animals killed for food.
“Poaching is a serious issue which can have detrimental impacts on the sustainability of turtle populations,” says Dr. Andrew Lentini, Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles Toronto Zoo. “The Toronto Zoo is proud to be a long-standing partner of the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers. The partnership between Toronto Zoo and Crime Stoppers to address the serious issue of illegal turtle, and other wildlife harvest and trade provides the ideal communications network for these issues”.
“The illegal trade of wildlife is the fourth most lucrative criminal activity world-wide, only exceeded by the trade of narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking", says David Forster, President of the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers and the elected Canadian Representative to Crime Stoppers International. "Crime Stopper programs throughout Ontario, Canada and the world are assisting law enforcement by engaging the community to anonymously report these illegal activities to Crime Stoppers”.
Chair of Crime Stoppers of York Region and the organizer of the Symposium , Jack Hurst adds that “people should watch for suspicious activity in natural areas, including off-trail activities, overnight parking, or anglers carrying unusual equipments such as snares or a large number of buckets. We encourage people to get involved and help prevent the trafficking of our wildlife.”
Residents who suspect poaching near their homes or farms can anonymously call Crime Stoppers toll-free at any time of the day at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or they can call the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry tip line at 1-877-847-7667.
To learn more about Crime Stoppers of York Region, please visit: http://www.1800222tips.com/.
For further information, please contact Symposium Chair Jack Hurst at 905-508-4944 or jhurst@tritonpromo.com.
Join us for AARA for this event to learn how to help save the wildlife!! I hope to see you there!
Check out one of my faviorite rescues -
