Federally Protected Wildlife Question

[pam.in.ny]

As a few of you who know me, I'm a staunch supporter of Operation Migration and it's efforts to save the whooping crane from extinction. Recently, a case was closed in Indiana that involved two individuals pleading guilty for shooting and killing a female whooping crane in 2009. They were fined $1, probation and court costs. My question is, if Whooping Cranes are federally protected, http://1.usa.gov/dQXs35 why wasn't the killing of this whooping crane a Federal case? Any lawyers here?

Here's one article about the case outcome. Two sentenced in 2009 shooting of whooping crane in Indiana - St. Petersburg Times http://t.co/3iEGrT8

Thank you beforehand

[KarlHindle]

because the Feds decided not to prosecute (or decided to ignore it)

[pam.in.ny]

Thanks Karl. I was afraid that might be the case.

[Diane]

Pam, This is appalling but not surprising.  Is there anyone appealing this case to a federal court?  Could you start a petition on care2 to bring this to public scrutiny?

Last week, Congress and the Obama administration agreed on a provision to strip federal protections for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies as part of the 2011 budget deal.  I very much admire you for your efforts to save this amazing bird.   

Children and endangered animals seem to be at the bottom of the list of priorities for our government and courts.

"The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children".
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer (German Pastor and Nazi opponent who died in a concentration camp)

 "A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members."  "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man"    Mahatma Gandhi

[pam.in.ny]

Diane,

Yes, A $1 fine for just shooting a whooping crane says a lot to how local/federal govt's feel about wildlife and children as well. Here is a quote as to why the whooping crane in Indiana was shot.

"They would drive around shooting whatever (animals) they saw, kind of like target practice. They had been squirrel hunting, and then they came upon a large white bird and just shot it."

I know many have emailed the Vermillion County court where the case was held. I don't know what "care2 " is but will definitely look into it. 4 or 5 whooping cranes from the ultra-light led reintroduction flock were found shot this winter in GA and AL. They were from the 2009 class. To date, the shooters have yet to be caught even with the big reward being offered. Sooner or later, someone will come forward and maybe the Feds will prosecute these shooting to send a message. Wishful thinking perhap. Thank you again.

[Diane]

Pam this is the link,    The http://www.thepetitionsite.com/                petition site on care2.   

It is so easy to get discouraged when advocating for these issues.   It seems that unless there is profit to be made,  many people don't care.   The Humane Society of the United States is probably aware of this court case and might help to finance a court challenge.  They are powerful and influential, with funds to pursue issues through the courts and the political process, to enact stronger legislation.   Also soliciting volunteers to help out.    They led in the efforts to bring a referendum to the ballot in Michigan, to stop the hunting of Mourning Doves.   The state house of representatives and the powerful hunting lobby had quickly pushed through a law allowing for shooting Mourning Doves.   The HSUS provided funding, training, petitions, and leaders to put a referendum on the ballot for the voters to decide and after a long winter of standing outside and gathering signatures,   85% of the voters went to the polls and overturned the law.  They also financed ads on t.v. in the last weeks to raise awareness.   This is only one of so many successful campaigns to advocate for animals.  Puppy Mills, dog fighting, battery cages,  etc.

[pam.in.ny]

Diane, you are correct, it can be discouraging at times. Look how we've fight for the LBPs and trying to get their abducted children returned, and H.R. 3240. We keep beating are heads against the wall, get discouraged but aren't giving up on them. Someone had to fight for the children and animals who can help themselves. I never thought of the HSUS and think that could be a good avenue, as well as the petition site to bring awareness to this $1 find and the lack of the Fed Govt not doing something about this case. Granted they were two kids, one a minor but they just went out and shot a federally protected birds. Operation Migration spent a lot of time and money raising and training that whooping crane to be wild and survive and some of that money more than likely was Federal money. You would think they would step in but like many things it's not surprising. Some of us are sick and upset over this case, mainly because of the slap on the hand and the $1 fine. Perhaps we can get something going like Michigan and make it happen.

Your thought are appreciated and I think will be helpful. I have posted the link to this particular topic on FB rather than  copy and paste it so the OM followers can read what you have suggested. Thank you again.

[Diane]

I just read all the details of how much effort and work has gone into the attempt to recover the Whooping Crane population. I can't even begin to imagine the frustration and heartache this caused.   This judge should be taken out and shot himself.   "400 Whooping Cranes not in captivity".   Saw this link on care2 this morning

.http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/-1-fine-for-killing-an-endangered-species/

   

[pam.in.ny]

LOL, I agree about the judge. What was he thinking and how can he believe that the life of one whooping crane is worth $1. My goodness, it costs $150K to raise a chicklet from egg, teach him to forage for food, survive, and to learn a migration route in the fall from WI to FL by following ultra light aircrafts. I checked out the care 2 site. With this news finally getting out and people starting to take action, perhaps something will be done to make these judges realize that protected animal are protected by law and the punishment should fit the crime. I still want to throw up when I see that $1 fine. <SIGH> If and when they catch the shooters who killed 4 whooping cranes that were in the 2009 ultra-light group, will they too get a $1 fine for each crane? I hope not.