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4 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, July 17, 1990 Lishman swan project runs into legal snag Federal charges under Canada's Migratory Bird regu- lations were expected to be laid this week in connection with a project by a Port Perry area man to train hybrid swans to fly behind an ulta-light aircraft. The charges stem from an investigation by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) into the project by Bill Lishman, a well- nown sculpter, artist and avia- tor who lives just south of Port Perry. Joe Carrero, a biologist with the CWS in Ottawa, told the Star Monday morning that papers were to be filed on Mon- day charging Murray Cooper, a colleague of Mr. Lishman who was allegedly keeping the five swaris on his property near Blackstock when they were seizedby the CWS July 6. And Mr. Carrero said fur- ther charges are pending against Mr. Lishman as the CWS continues toinvestigate. Mr. Carrero declined to dis- cuss the case directly as it is now in front of the courts, other than to say the five swans were "seized for legal reasons. They should not be in this country." He said Mr. Lishman was "ile- gally in possession of the birds." Mr. Lishman, who said he is launching legal action of his own to get the birds back, told the Star last Friday that if his project with the swans broke any regulations, it was not in- tentional. 2 PSC XPS, IRE DEPT. Ambulance attendants take 26-year old Gregory Roberts to hospital after an accident July 10 on Lilla Street. Roberts was not seriously hurt. He was a passenger in 1990 Cadli- lac driven by Robert Austin, 52, of RR 1 Minden. There were three other vehicles involved in the accident, but no serious injuries. Durham Police charged Austin with failure to stop at a stop sign. PAUL VAN CAMP Chartered Accountant 204 Casimir St. 985-9725 PORT PERRY LoL 1B7 *INCOME TAX *FINANCIAL PLANNING *SMALL BUSINESS Down Desirable CIDASHWOOD 1200 PHILLIP MURRAY AVE., OSHAWA C See how easily, how reasonably a Dashwood door insert can be transform your everyday doorway into a warm, beautiful invitation to hospitality. THE WINDOW AND DOOR BUYER AH 436-1344 Registered Trademark of Dashwood Industries Limited All he was trying to do, he said, is conduct an experiment that he says has some scientific merit. Although Mr. Lishman too was reluctant to talk about the case, he did tell the Star that early in May, he travelled to Virginia and took possession of five swan eggs from a Professor W. L. Sledon, who has worked for many years doing research into swans. Mr. Lishman transported the eggs back to Canada, and they hatched on May 14. Mr. Lishman said what he was trying to do is train or im- print the swans to fly behind his ultra-light air-craft, and even- tually Mr. Lishman said he wanted to see if the birds would make a cross-country flight with him to Chesepeake Bay, a traditional winter habitat area for swans. If that worked, he said, it might be possible to "teach" swans their traditional migra- tory habits, which might en- hance the species and increase their numbers. Mr. Lishman said Prof. Sledon endorsed "the project, and was fully aware of what he was trying to do. The imprinting or training of the motherless swans had been going on for about five weeks when on June 22, officers from the Wildlife Service paid him a visit, said they were con- ducting an investigation, and told him that what he is doing might be in contravention of the regulations. But, he said he was told at that time, he could keep the swans in his care. On July 5, the officers re- Newly Renovated ... PORT PERRY MINI PUTT & DRIVING RANGE OPEN 7 DAYS a WEEK turned, seized the swans from Mr. Cooper's property, and took them away in a panel Mr. Lishman has not seen the birds since that date, and does not know where they are being kept, a fact that has caused him considerable dis- tress. Mr. Carrero refused to say where the birds are, when asked by the Star, but said they are being watched by a veterni- narian. The birds are a hybrid cross between trumpeter and tundra swans. Although he has not been charged yet (as of Monday morning) Mr. Lishman said he "believes he may face several charges, including conspiracy to release birds, and importing them without the proper per- mits. A couple of years ago, Mr. Lishman conducted a similar "imprinting" experiment, using Canadian Geese. He trained the flock of about a dozen geese to fly with his ultra-light plane, and was often seen flying over Lake Scu- gog and south of Port Perry with the geese in formation behind the ultra-light. He made a video of the en- tire process titled "C'mon Geese," and that video won an award at a major show this year in the United States. He said his troubles with the Canadian Wildlife Service, a division of Environment Can- ada, have upset him greatly, es- pecially the seizure of the five youngswans. "All I was trying to do is teach the birds to fly behind an (ultra-light) airplane," he said. Under New Management $1.00 OFF BUCKET of BALLS or .50 OFF MINI PUTT (with this ad - offer expires July 31st, 1990) WEDNESDAY sack to THe DO'S THE REAL SIDEWALK SALE SATURDAY JULY 21 1990 "DOWNTOWN OSHAWA-- JULY 18 TO EN