A human foot compared to a dinosaur footprint at Six Peaks Dinosaur Track Site.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/hudsonshope.ca
January 25, 2023 - 6:00 PM
An Alberta man is going to jail for 25 days for poaching dinosaur fossils in B.C.
Bennward Dale Ingram, 39, from Pincher Creek, Alberta was also slapped with a $15,000 fine for committing the crime, according to the reasons for his sentence, which were handed down in a Fort St. John courtroom on Jan. 10.
Ingram was one of four men who removed, damaged or destroyed large slabs of fossil tracks at Six Peaks Dinosaur Track Site near Hudson’s Hope, B.C.
There was no trial because he pleaded guilty to section 60 (e) under the Land Act – excavation without the authorization of the minister.
“Ingram frankly admitted to the court he had no excuse for his actions, that he did not appreciate the importance of the site to the First Nations or science, and expressed deep remorse for his actions and the damage he created,” the decision by Judge Darin Reeves says.
His actions resulted in scientific loss, cultural loss and natural resource loss.
The site is home to more than 500 dinosaur footprints that were made 125 to 113 million years ago before becoming fossilized, according to the decision. The fossils include tracks from theropod, ornithopod and sauropod dinosaur groups.
“Tracks themselves occupy an unusual category of palaeontological resource, as, unlike skeletal fossils commonly seen in museums, dinosaur tracks exist on surfaces that themselves represent portions of the ancient landscape that have become part of the current physical and cultural landscape via natural erosion or excavation,” the decision reads.
“Trackways also evidence how the dinosaur lived, moved, its gait and behaviour. Damaging and removing an individual footprint not only destroys that footprint for its scientific value, it also disturbs the integrity of the remaining tracks and landscape and the series of tracks of which it was part.”
The tracks exist on 8 to 10 centimetre-thick sandstone that’s naturally resistant to erosion. However as a result of the damage caused by Ingram, it is now far more susceptible to deterioration, the decision says.
“Cracks or fractures have been created that will now more rapidly accelerate otherwise natural erosion and as a result, a significant degree of scientific information has been lost and will continue to be lost as the damage now naturally propagates.”
READ MORE: Bones found almost 50 years ago recognized as B.C.'s first dinosaur species
The Crown was seeking a sentence of 30 to 35 days and a fine of $20,000. The defence wanted a suspended sentence that would include 120 hours of community service and a $10,000 fine.
"Mr. Ingram, in company with others, used heavy-duty hand and power tools to remove fossils from a remote site, causing significant damage to the surrounding trackway over a period in excess of 2½ hours and only ceasing when they became aware that witnesses were present."
Judge Reeves referred to the dinosaur footprints as “a delicate site not easily rejuvenated, or where the cost of repair or mitigation of damages is significant.”
Another aggravating factor is the deliberate nature of the act.
“Ingram, in company with others, used heavy-duty hand and power tools to remove fossils from a remote site, causing significant damage to the surrounding trackway over a period in excess of 2½ hours and only ceasing when they became aware that witnesses were present. This evidences planning and preparation, effort to obtain the fossils, and an understanding at the time of the wrongfulness of their acts, as they fled the scene once they were aware of being observed.”
Victims of the offence include the Saulteau First Nations community, the citizens of B.C. and Canada “whose educational opportunities have been retarded,” and the scientific community. There was also a victim impact statement from Dr. Daniel Helm, who was among the group of people who first identified the tracks in 2000.
Mitigating factors were that Ingram had no prior criminal record and the court received numerous letters of support calling that action uncharacteristic of the man.
“In particular, I note a letter from Mr. Ingram’s employer who noted Mr. Ingram as an above-average worker and long-time friend.”
Judge Reeves decided upon a sentence of 25 days in jail and a $15,000 ticket.
A photo of dinosaur trackways at the Six Peaks Dinosaur Track Site from 2008.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Peace River Regional District
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