Forestry Department condemns killing of 5 Saint Lucia boas

The Forestry Department of Saint Lucia, in a December 31 press release, condemned the killing of protected wildlife and reminded of the repercussions, following a video showing Saint Lucia boas being killed. . 

According to the release, the department received a “very disturbing video”, which circulated on social media showing five Saint Lucia boas, or Tete Chien, that were  bludgeoned to death. 

“This extreme cruelty to wildlife is unacceptable and constitutes a major offence under the Saint Lucia Wildlife Protection Act, chapter 6.03, of 1980, revised in 2001. The Saint Lucia boa is listed as “Protected Wildlife” under schedule one of the Wildlife Act. The Forestry Department, therefore, states that it categorically condemns such irresponsible and indiscriminate killing of our protected and endemic wildlife and will in no way condone such illegal acts perpetrated by members of the public. The Forestry Department will therefore seek all legal avenues to ensure that the perpetrators of such wildlife crime receive the maximum penalty for their illegal actions.”

The Wildlife Act, Part 4, Section 14 (a) states: “Except by authority of a license or permit issued under section 10, a person commits an offence who hunts or takes any protected wildlife or the eggs, fry or young thereof;”. Similarly, Section 16 (d) states:” A person commits an offence, who for the purpose of killing or capturing any protected or partially protected wildlife, using any live animal or any decoy or appliance whatsoever;”.

The Forestry Department is collaborating with the police on the matter, and advised that charges will be laid against “the perpetrators of this horrific and disturbing wildlife crime”. 

The department is also seeking the maximum penalty set out in the act, of $5 000 per animal killed or imprisonment, or both.  

The Saint Lucia boa, locally known as the Tete Chien, is a protected species under the Wildlife Act. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)