Written by Kevin Kerrigan Wednesday, 18 May 2011 16:08
Guam News - Guam News
Guam - A District Court Jury in Saipan Tuesday found Rota resident Adrian Atalig Mendiola guilty of unlawful possession of a threatened species, namely the Marinana Fruit Bat, known in Chamorro as the Fanihi.Mendiola however was acquitted of a charge of receiving or acquiring a threatened species.
According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the conviction is the result of a search of Mendiola's home more than 2 years ago in December of 2008 where 4 frozen fruit bats were found in his freezer.
The search of Mendiola's home was authorized after 2 of the 3 maternity fruit bat colonies on Rota had been slaughtered in November of '08.
U.S. Attorney Alicia Limtiaco is quoted in the release as saying that the verdict "is a step forward in protecting the Fanihi and ensuring that it remains a part of the community and culture for generations to come."
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