PRESS RELEASE

Threatened Rattlesnake Killed in National Park - UPDATE

Following a month long investigation by the Georgian Bay Islands National Park Warden Service, a 32 year old Simcoe County man was arrested by park wardens and charged with poaching in the national park. The subject will appear in Midland court on September 16th to answer the charge that he killed an Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, a protected species on Beausoleil Island, near Honey Harbour. The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake is considered a "threatened" species and is at risk of becoming endangered in Canada. The maximum penalty for killing an Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake in a national park is $250,000 and/or 5 years in jail.

Georgian Bay Islands National Park encourages the public to help protect national parks by becoming active partners in the detection and reporting of wildlife crime.

If you have information about any national park wildlife poaching crime, please contact Georgian Bay Islands National Park and speak with a park warden. The public is reminded that they do not have to give their name if they wish to remain anonymous. All information received will be treated as confidential. The Park Warden Dispatch does not subscribe to call display.

Park Warden Dispatch (24 Hour): 705-526-7113

GBINP Office (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.): 705-526-9804

GBINP Office Email: info_gbi@pch.gc.ca

Gary McMillian

Superintendent

Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada