Strong and effective enforcement of Canada's wildlife protection laws is one of the tangible ways the Government of Canada helps conserve wildlife species and their habitats.
On September 20, 2023, Adeleke Abubakar Ali-Ibironke was fined $7,500 after pleading guilty in the Alberta Court of Justice to one count of unlawfully importing a species of animal without obtaining the required permits. This was in contravention of subsection 6(2) of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund.
On February 26, 2022, Ali-Ibironke arrived on an international flight at Calgary International Airport and did not declare any food or animal products. Further examination by the Canada Border Services Agency revealed approximately six pounds of meat products in Ali-Ibironke's luggage. Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers inspected the meat products and sent samples for DNA analysis to identify the species. The testing identified the meat as African Dwarf Crocodile. This species is listed as an Appendix I species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) because it is classified as a threatened species.
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