Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) Alberta has charged a business from St. Paul and four individuals from Alberta with illegal trafficking of wildlife and the alleged selling of eagle and hawk feathers.
“There are no charges related to killing the wildlife, just trafficking,” explained Darcy Whiteside, spokesperson with SRD; however, he did clarify that the investigation is still ongoing and so, additional charges may be forthcoming. Because the investigation is ongoing, he declined to identify the business in question. However, media reports are identifying the business as Wild West Exchange, and reporting that the owner has said he thought the goods were legal. However, the pawn shop owner did not respond to the St. Paul Journal’s request for interview as staff said he was away for the week.
Whiteside did confirm that on Jan. 27, a 49-year-old male from Innisfree, a 38-year-old male from Edmonton and one business from St. Paul were charged; court appearances are scheduled for March.
“The business was charged as a corporation with five counts of trafficking wildlife and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking,” said Whiteside.
Two more individuals, a 48-year-old female from Morley and a 48-year-old female from Red Deer, have also now been charged.
Eagle and hawk feathers are often used in traditional First Nations ceremonies, dress and dance regalia. It is not illegal to use feathers which have fallen off a bird naturally but SRD claims that was not the case in this situation. While eagles and hawks are not an endangered species in Alberta, they are considered a sensitive species, explained Whiteside.
“Trafficking wildlife, especially on the black market, puts wildlife at threat,” said Whiteside. “It is a major industry. Globally, it is estimated as second only to drug trafficking as an industry.”
