In an unusual incident in Niles, Illinois, a person has been charged after being captured on video stealing goose eggs earlier this week. This case, now under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, highlights the importance of wildlife protection laws.

The Niles Police Department, with assistance from the community, successfully identified and charged the suspect involved in this unique crime. However, the identity of the individual has not yet been disclosed by the authorities.

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Surveillance footage released by the Niles police shows a woman removing goose eggs from a nest and placing them into her pockets. This occurred on Monday around 4:18 p.m., near the Golf Mill Mall, drawing attention due to the protected status of the species involved.

Canada geese, the species in question, are safeguarded under the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act in Illinois. This legislation makes it illegal to kill these birds or to disturb their nests, eggs, or young without a permit. Such incidents serve as a reminder of the laws protecting our wildlife and the consequences of violating them.

Niles police shared video showing a woman putting goose eggs from a nest in her pockets on Monday at about 4:18 p.m. The nest was located on the side of a building near the Golf Mill Mall.

Canada geese are protected in Illinois, by the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Without a permit, it’s illegal kill them, or disturb their nests, eggs or young.

Animal control believes the goose eggs were just a couple weeks away from hatching.

Niles police had set up the camera to monitor a pair of adult Canada geese and their eggs that were nested there for the last couple of weeks.

“Two hours later, I get footage of a woman taking the eggs instead of the adult geese coming back,” Niles police Animal Control Officer Allison Cole said. “Mixed reactions, I’m shocked. A part of me is still trying to think, ‘OK, maybe she’s affiliated with an organization or wildlife rehabilitation that was also aware of this nest and monitoring them.’”

Local wildlife organizations confirmed it was not any of their employees.

“Sometimes it’s just a matter of educating; some people truly don’t know they’re not supposed to do this. And just educating, maybe getting some fines is what’s warranted,” Cole said.

If you ever come across any nests with eggs in them, do not touch them. And if you believe they’re abandoned, then you should call the Department of Natural Resources or local wildlife organizations.