Somers Point Man Admits to Shooting Endangered Hawks

A Somers Point man admitted to killing or attempting to kill four different species of protected birds, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced on Tuesday.

Robert Losasso, 69, pleaded guilty today to six counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for shooting the federally-protected hawks from his home.

He admitted that he fatally shot or attempted to fatally shoot red-tailed, sharp-shinned, red- shouldered and Cooper’s hawks on several occasions.

These birds are among the birds of prey that migrate every year from Canada along the Atlantic Flyway through New Jersey.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act was enacted in 1918 and implements protections designated for migratory birds under several international conventions to which the United States is a party.

Breeding populations of red-shouldered hawks are listed as endangered on the State of New Jersey’s Endangered and Threatened Wildlife list.

Sharp- shinned hawks and populations of Cooper’s hawks also have special protections under New Jersey state law.

Losasso didn’t have any permit to shoot the birds.

He faces up to six months in prison and a maximum fine equal to the greatest of $15,000 or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offenses.

Losasso agreed to pay more than $4,000 in restitution to the wildlife rehabilitation centers that incurred losses treating or euthanizing hawks injured due to his actions.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Fishman credited special agents of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Carmine Sabia, with the investigation leading to the charges.

He also thanked the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Law Enforcement, and the Somers Point Police Department for their roles in the case.