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)