Poachers and exotic species targeted by new B.C. law

Poachers and owners of exotic species such as tigers are among the targets of new wildlife legislation in B.C.

Environment Minister Barry Penner said under the new law, the maximum fines and sentences for poaching will rise to $250,000 and two years in jail, sending a clear signal that B.C. won't tolerate illegal hunting, he said.

The law also brings in new rules for hunting and the guide outfitting industry, while giving park rangers more enforcement powers.

And for the first time, the law will cover species brought in from outside Canada, such as tigers and venomous snakes, and give the government the power to prohibit ownership of certain animals.

This follows a tragedy in July 2007 in which a Bengal tiger killed the girlfriend of the owner of an exotic pet farm near the B.C. Interior town of 100 Mile House.