Investigators believe the nails were intentionally placed as a way to stop forestry workers from conducting their operations.

Police are investigating after 30 nails and a PVC pipe were found embedded into the trunk of a fallen old growth tree in the Fairy Creek injunction area. PHOTO BY HANDOUT / SOOKE RCMP /PNG

Police are investigating after 30 nails and a PVC pipe were found embedded into the trunk of a fallen old growth tree in the Fairy Creek injunction area.

Sooke and Lake Cowichan RCMP were called on April 7 after security guards in Fairy Creek logging area found what appeared to be a number of nails driven through the trunk of a fallen tree. They also found a PVC pipe inserted into the middle of the log, which had been dragged from the area where it was cut.

Investigators believe the nails were intentionally placed as a way to stop forestry workers from conducting their operations.

“In addition, PVC piping was found inside the log which was intended to be used as a ‘sleeping dragon’, a device commonly used by protesters to secure themselves to a physical structure,” read a police news release.

“This tactic to impede forestry operations is not only illegal, but is extremely dangerous,” said Chief Supt. John Brewer.

“We wish to remind everyone that peaceful protest can take place without a risk of harming others. In return, criminal acts such as these will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be arrested and prosecuted according to our Canadian laws.”

Active RCMP patrols will continue along forestry roads and the Fairy Creek area, as the investigation continues.

Since August 2020 protesters have been blockading logging roads near the Fairy Creek drainage on western Vancouver Island. The dispute has reignited a debate on whether there should be a moratorium on logging B.C.’s ancient forests.

Protesters say they are trying to save the last intact watershed outside of a park or protected area on southern Vancouver Island, home to 1,000-year-old yellow cedars.

The Fairy Creek watershed is part of a 59,000-hectare timber tenure held by private logging company Teal Jones, near Port Renfrew on the southwestern side of Vancouver Island.