Northern Ont. man fined $48K for damaging turtle habitat

FROM THE ARCHIVES: A rare turtle find (2013) Two biologists in Sudbury are tracking some rare species of turtles discovered in their area. Carrie Trownson reports.

A northern Ontario man who conducted road work without a permit has been fined $48,000 for damaging turtle habitat.

Timothy Hunt of McDougall – north of Parry Sound -- pleaded guilty to damaging the habitat of Blanding’s Turtle, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

“He was ordered to pay $48,000 to the Georgian Bay Biosphere organization to assist in the protection and recovery of the species,” the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said in a news release Friday.

The court heard that between May 2016 and June 2017, Hunt did road work within the Shebeshekong Wetland Conservation Reserve without obtaining a permit.

“While doing the work he damaged a Blanding’s Turtle habitat,” the release said.

Justice of the Peace Madeleine Paul heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Parry Sound on Oct. 25.

Activities impacting species at risk and protected habitat can be reported by calling 1-866-MOE-TIPS (663-8477) or through the online reporting tool.

Members of the public can report sightings of endangered species to the Natural Heritage Information Centre or at iNaturalist.ca.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, click here.