Animals lead Canadian to court

Animals lead Canadian to court

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The district court here has fined a
Canadian tourist and put him on probation for possessing
protected animals, Antara reported.

The court sentenced Greg Watson, 42, to 10 months probation
and fined him Rp 500,000 (about US$212) recently for purchasing
and possessing protected animals.

Should the defendant break the law during his probation, he
will be jailed for five months, judge Djaini Abidin ruled.

Watson had bought 79 cocoons from protected butterfly species,
cocoons, seven snakes from three protected species, two live and
two dead lizards, for Rp 5.3 million (US$ 2,250) from a local man
identified as Nico Halatu, the court heard.

Halatu will face a separate charge of selling protected
animals.

The live animals will be released back into their habitat by
the local office for the protection and conservation of nature.
(06)