By Grace Q. Bryant
The Omega Magisterial Court in Paynesville has sent a 23-year-old lady to the Monrovia Central Prison, for illegal possession of wildlife species and cruelty to animal (monkey).
According to the prosecution, Defendant Hannah Klay was said to have been in possession of the monkey without obtaining a license.
Hannah Klay is expected to remain in prison to attend to her trial, Magistrate Victoria Duncan ruled, after she noticed that the defendant failed to be represented by a lawyer, in accordance with the 1986 Constitution.
On November 6, a joint wildlife security team, comprising the Liberia Special Wildlife Investigation Unit (SWIU), supported by the Liberia National Police (LNP), the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary (LWS), arrested Madam Hannah Klay in the Soko Town, Pipeline Community, Paynesville, Montserrado county.
She is a resident of Pipeline Community, and is alleged to have been arrested in possession of one (1) young Lesser Spotty Nosed Monkey tied to a chair, which was later rescued by the joint team.
The Liberia Special Wildlife Investigation Unit collaborates with partners, including the LNP, FDA, LWS, Focused Conservation and LRA Customs, and others, to bring those responsible for wildlife trafficking to justice.
The SWIU alleges that the hunting, buying, selling, capturing, and eating of protected wildlife species are illegal.
The Special Wildlife Investigation Unit (SWIU), comprised of Officers from LNP, FDA, and LRA, works with other mandated authorities within Liberia.
The joint team of Special Wildlife Investigation Unit also indicated that this arrest is a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime.
