Individuals Charged Under Endangered Species Act

Eight people will appear in provincial court in December to answer to charges of hunting mainland moose.

The charges are the result of a focused investigation by Department of Natural Resources' conservation officers to protect mainland moose, which were declared an endangered species in 2003.

"Officers gathered intelligence on complaints and suspected illegal moose-hunting activities, which resulted in a detailed project entitled Operation Crossroad," said Natural Resources' enforcement director John Mombourquette. "Twelve officers from across the province have been working on this operation for more than two years."

Illegal harvesting of mainland moose is believed to be one of the primary factors in the diminishing size of the herd in Nova Scotia.

Six of the individuals charged are from Guysborough County, one is from Pictou County and one is from Cumberland County.

A conviction under the Endangered Species Act can carry a fine of up to $500,000 and a prison term of up to six months.