No permit for macaws, man fined $35,000

A Point Fortin man caught with baby macaws has been slapped with $35,000 in fines for having the protected birds in captivity without a permit.

SASCHA WILSON

A Point Fortin man caught with baby macaws has been slapped with $35,000 in fines for having the protected birds in captivity without a permit.

Don Michael Herbert, 30, pleaded guilty to seven charges when he appeared virtually before Point Fortin Magistrate Alicia Chankar.  

Guardian Media understands Herbert was arrested on Monday August 16th, after WPC Noriega and other officers executed a search warrant at his home at Point Ligoure, around 4:45 pm.

During the search, the officers heard squawks coming from the room and upon checking, found seven featherless, red belly macaws. Three were in a basket and four others were in a box.

Herbert reportedly had no permit to keep the birds in captivity. He was arrested and taken to the Siparia Police Station.

Jeremy Dindial and Andy Singh were among several game wardens who went down to the station after they were contacted by the police.  Dindial laid the charges.

Herbert was slapped with the maximum fine of $5,000 on each charge. He was given three months to pay or in default, serve nine months in prison on each charge.

The magistrate ordered that the birds be placed in the care of the Emperor Valley Zoo.