I have confidence that the Service special agents will deal with this
appropriately. The fact that they were issued a permit specifying
species to be taken makes this a pretty open and shut case since the
folks with the guns would have a hard time explaining how they had no
prior knowledge that what they were doing was illegal-not that even
that legal standard is required to establish violations of the MBTA.
I'm upset with the knuckleheads that seemed to think they needed to
shoot cattle egrets, even more upset that they shot snowys and greats
but at this point I'd like to let the system work. If it doesn't I'll
have someone else to be upset with I guess.
Jon Andrew
jon_andrew@fws.gov
Atlanta, GA
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: More informtion: OK Great Egret Kill
Author: <ORNITH-L@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU> at ~internet
Date: 4/15/98 8:33 AM
Forwarded from Oklahoma Birds
Jim Ingold
LSU-Shreveport
jingold@pilot.lsus.edu
______________________________ Forward Header __________________________________
Subject: Great Egret Kill -Reply
Author: <OKbirds@listserv.ou.edu> at @Internet
Date: 4/14/98 1:11 PM
I regret to keep posting sad news on the listserv. But, I feel that
everybody must be informed on the terrible situation.
Some of the landowners were in the rookery again Saturday night,
shooting birds as the propane cannons went off of to mask their
shotguns. They were reported by a landowner and arrested and have a
May court date. There were reports of gun fire yesterday however.
Also, Rondi Large (Wildcare) 872-9338 now has a Black-crowned Night
Heron that was also shot out there, so add another illegal species to the
list. When Rondi asked Tom McKay, USFWS, Oklahoma City, special
agent, if he needed some of the birds or photos, or lists of numbers
killed, etc. he said "what for???" These type of responses are so
discouraging to many of us, especially when they come from public
servants who are supposed to be addressing these type of problems.
One more note: Why hasn't the USFWS revoked the permit yet? The
permit should no longer be valid due to the numbers and frequency of
illegal killings. There is plenty of evidence to act on! FOX 25 last night
ran a clip and showed highly graphic footage of the illegal killings.
Thanks,
Nathan Kuhnert