A woman who snatched two Canada geese goslings from a Regent Avenue parking lot last week will not be be charged under wildlife laws.
The provincial government confirmed on Tuesday the Conservation Officer Service probed the complaint and “based on the circumstances and mitigating factors,” a warning was issued to the woman.
“The service appreciates the public bringing this to their attention,” a provincial spokesman said.
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Mother goose with goslings before they were abducted.
“The investigation determined the goslings were alive and had been placed on another nest with a goose that accepted them.”
The spokesman reminded the public “the best advice is always to leave wildlife alone.”
“Even if it doesn’t appear the mother of an animal or baby bird is around, they usually are and interacting with them may make things worse.”
The Turn in Poacher (TIP) line is 1-800-782-0075.
Workers at a shoe store and Liquor Mart on Regent Avenue were stunned last week when they saw the two goslings get picked up, put into a shopping bag, and driven off. Witnesses had told the woman not to take them and snapped a photo of her vehicle and licence plate when she refused to comply.
A witness told the Free Press the mother goose was sitting nearby on her nest and a short time later both parents were honking and looking around the parking lot for their young.
There was speculation last week the incident might be subject to penalties under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1994.