Dorothy Sloan, 81, of Violet Town, appeared in Benalla Magistrates’ Court on June 15 in a contest mention.
She faces 291 charges relating to birds and other wildlife, with all charges relating to alleged offences in 2019.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning prosecutor Anne-Marie Stephanides said the offences fell under three different categories.
She said these were: possession of birds and wildlife on the woman’s premises, charges of poisoning, and possession of wildlife found in a freezer.
Ms Stephanides said the poisoning related to the laying of bait.
“I understand the identification of the person who laid the baits is the issue,” she said.
Among the charges are 99 counts of destroying wildlife with poisoned bait. These relate to 50 wedge-tailed eagles, 48 raptors and one whistling kite.
Ms Sloan is also charged with seven counts of aggravated cruelty by an act of cruelty through ingesting poisoned bait causing unreasonable pain and suffering which resulted in death, relating to six wedge-tailed eagles and one whistling kite.
There are also 155 charges of possessing protected wildlife contrary to the Wildlife Act, which includes 90 wedge-tailed eagles and 25 raptors.
There are also 26 charges of possessing wildlife taken from the wild in contravention of the Wildlife Act 1975 or a corresponding law of another state or territory of the Commonwealth.
The court heard there were still matters to be resolved between the prosecution and defence, but a special mention date was set down for October in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.
Experts are expected to be called to give evidence in the case.
CHARGES
Ninety-nine counts of destroying wildlife with poisoned bait:
● 50 wedge-tailed eagles.
● 48 raptors.
● 1 whistling kite.
Seven counts of aggravated cruelty by an act of cruelty through ingesting poisoned bait causing unreasonable pain and suffering which resulted in death:
● 6 wedge-tailed eagles.
● 1 whistling kite.
One hundred and fifty-five counts of possessing protected wildlife contrary to the Wildlife Act:
● 90 wedge-tailed eagles.
● 25 raptors.
● 2 whistling kites.
● 1 laughing kookaburra.
● 15 galahs.
● 5 sulphur-crested cockatoos.
● 4 eastern grey kangaroos.
● 2 wood ducks.
● 3 grebes.
● 5 hoary-headed grebes.
● 2 grey teals.
● 1 raven.
Twenty-six counts of possessing wildlife taken from the wild in contravention of the Wildlife Act 1975 or a corresponding law of another state or territory of the Commonwealth:
● 7 galahs.
● 2 wood ducks.
● 5 grebes.
● 3 hairless eastern grey kangaroo joeys.
● 5 hoary-headed grebes.
● 1 grey teal.
