Traffic In Bird Parts Net $10,000 Fine

By 250 News

VICTORIA - A Brentwood Bay man was fined $10,000 in provincial court for his role in trafficking in protected birds, following an investigation that began in April 2005.

David Essary Bill pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully trafficking in dead wildlife (bald eagles) in Victoria provincial court on Oct. 17, 2008. He was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $9,000 of the fine to the

Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. Bill was also ordered to repay $830 to the courts that was considered to be proceeds from the commission of an offence. He has one year to pay the penalties assessed and must perform 100 hours of community service within six months.

A year-long investigation throughout southern British Columbia was undertaken by the Conservation Officer Service into the trafficking and poaching of eagles and other protected birds including golden eagles, hawks and swans.

Charges have been laid against 15 individuals for possession of, and trafficking in, dead wildlife under the Wildlife Act. The accused are from Vancouver, Chilliwack, Chehalis, Langley, Duncan, Brentwood Bay and

Hagersville, Ontario.

Bill is the seventh man convicted of 15 individuals who have been charged in a broad southern B.C. protected bird trafficking investigation. A total of $52,430 in penalties has been assessed as a result of the convictions. This investigation began after a separate investigation into the remains of 50 bald eagles found on the North Shore determined that a broader investigation was warranted.

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