Russell Frederick Vida was convicted after pleading guilty to cutting down a tree home to a bald eagle's nest in Comox. The case was resolved recently in provincial court in Courtenay following the March 5, 2019 incident. (BC Conservation Officer Service)

By Ian Holmes

Wildlife crime

Man fined $10K for cutting down tree holding bald eagle nest in Comox

Mar 24, 2020 | 5:13 PM

COURTENAY — A stiff fine was levied against a man responsible for cutting down a tree in Comox which destroyed an active bald eagle’s nest.

Russel Frederick Vida, 54, pleaded guilty to the March 5, 2019 crime and received the $10,00 fine for violating the B.C. Wildlife Act from a Courtenay judge. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on March 12, 2020.

Conservation officer Sgt. Mike Newton said these crimes are taken seriously, noting eagles and other birds find themselves under increased pressure from urban development.

“When they select a tree that tree is protected under the Wildlife Act. At any time of year it’s unlawful to remove or damage that nest or tree,” Newton told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Vida’s crime received widespread condemnation on the BC Conservation Officer Facebook page.

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Newton said eagle nests are used over several years and continually built up and strengthened to operate at a high level.

“These trees have been selected by the birds usually in close proximity to their food source which is the ocean or lakes where they can fish.”

Newton said the nest was not home to any eaglets or eggs at the time.

While not prepared to speak to Vida’s case specifically, Newton said typically property development is the motivation behind these crimes.

Newton said local and provincial regulations clearly spell out which trees are legally protected from being felled. He said permits are required before a weakened protected trees can come down.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes