Operation White Fox nets poachers

Wildlife protection officers from Quebec’s department of natural resources, wildlife and parks say they will lay more than 175 charges after an investigation into illegal hunting and fishing practices in Nunavik, the Abitibi and James Bay region.

The alleged acts of poaching involved caribou, moose, lake trout and brook char, as well as black bear gall bladders.

Wildlife protection services from Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec, assisted by the Canadian Wildlife Service, conducted several investigations resulting in the search of two homes. In all, some forty suspects from the Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Nord-du-Quebec and Quebec City regions as well as from Ontario will be questioned.

Operation White Fox involved more than 70 wildlife protection officers who have already identified more than 175 charges. If the suspects are found guilty, they are liable to fines totaling more than $300,000.

According to a news release, the suspected poachers hunted moose and caribou outside the hunting season and without a licence, harvesting over the limit and wasting and selling edible meat.

In addition, charges related to the illegal possession, sale and purchase of black bear gall bladders may also be laid. Other charges include fishing out of season, fishing with nets, as well as the illegal possession of brook char and lake trout.