Report A Poacher

In 2021 the RAP toll-free hotline received over 15,000 calls from the public. Fish and wildlife officers were able to solve several cases and lay charges with help from the public. Here is one of those cases.

SOLVED CASE: Rocky View County

Fish and wildlife officers recently concluded an investigation involving three individuals involved in the unlawful shooting and possession of a great blue heron.

On August 10, 2020, two eyewitnesses were bird watching on the walking paths at the Rocky View County Administrative building. They were avid birders and hoped to photograph young birds in juvenile plumage or unique birds that aren’t common to the area. While they were out wildlife viewing, they heard a loud blast coming from the direction of Highway 566. It was loud enough and close enough that they felt they had to hit the ground. When they turned around, they saw a male subject, later identified as Benny YEE, come into view and walk into a pond on the Rocky View County property. They then saw him pick up a great blue heron from the middle of the pond and walk back towards the fence line.

YEE passed the heron to a second male, later identified as Jia Wei LIANG, who took the bird and put it in their vehicle, a white Toyota Sienna van, that was driven by a third male, Jia You LIANG.

Because the witnesses were avid birdwatchers, they had a high end zoom lens that allowed them to capture all of the individuals on camera. They called the Report A Poacher line and sent the photos to fish and wildlife officers.

From their photos, fish and wildlife officers were able to identify the suspects confirmed they had taken possession of a blue heron, and track down the owner by using the licence plate captured in the photos.

On March 30, 2021, the three individuals plead guilty to the unlawful possession of a great blue heron. Benny YEE was issued a $2500 fine and his recreation hunting privileges were suspended for 2 years. Jia Wei LIANG and Jia You LIANG were issued $1500 fines each and also given 2 year suspensions.

When this event occurred, all three individuals were in the middle of a 3 year recreational fishing suspension stemming from a file in 2019. After this court decision regarding the blue heron, they are now ineligible to hunt or fish until 2023.

Great blue heron are a protected species, and as such, it is unlawful to hunt and possess them.

The penalties in this investigation were the direct result of a call from the public to the Report A Poacher line. Officers cannot be everywhere at once, and this program is a way for the public to help us protect our natural environment.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Report A Poacher by phone at 1-800-642-3800 or online at www.alberta.ca/report-poacher.aspx. All reporters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for an award.

REPORT A POACHER NOW. CALL TOLL-FREE OR REPORT ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

All calls are kept strictly confidential, and the information you provide can lead to an arrest, fines, and jail time. The Report A Poacher program is delivered in joint partnership between Alberta Justice and Solicitor General and Alberta Conservation Association.