A Southern Ontario resident has been fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to offences involving protected migratory birds.
The individual, from Essex, pleaded guilty to capturing, harassing and attempting to injure Canada goose under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. The court ordered the individual to pay $1,000 to Ducks Unlimited Canada to support migratory bird management, habitat enhancement or protection near the location where the offence occurred.
The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on May 23, 2025, conservation officers were contacted by the Ontario Provincial Police to assist with an investigation involving the harassment of Canada geese.
With assistance from the public, a conservation officer determined that the individual was at the Belle River Marina on the shoreline of Lake St. Clair when a Canada goose gosling was captured. The individual also attempted to injure adult geese by throwing large rocks and swatting at them.
Canada geese are federally protected migratory birds, and members of the public are not permitted to catch them or attempt to injure them.
The case was heard in Windsor on Feb. 2, 2026.
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. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
More information is available at ontario.ca/MNRTips.
