Protected species are not Christmas gifts, warns NEPA
THE National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is warning the public, who may be seeking to purchase pets as gifts for the Christmas season, to be careful not to buy protected species.
A release from NEPA yesterday said protected animals include the yellow-billed and black-billed parrots, the crested quail dove, the Jamaican parakeet, the American crocodile, the Jamaican slider turtle, and the Jamaican boa (yellow snake).
NEPA yesterday reminded the public that it is an offence under the Wild Life Protection Act to have in one’s possession any protected animal or to hunt, kill, capture, or wilfully molest any of these animals.
“Individuals found guilty of the offence may be charged a maximum fine of $100,000 or face one year imprisonment,” the release said.
