Federal wildlife officials are investigating after a tree containing a protected bald eagle nest was cut down.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — Neighbors in a Porter-area community say they are devastated and angry after discovering that a large tree containing a long-established bald eagle nest was cut down earlier this month. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirms it has opened a criminal investigation into how and why the tree was removed.
Residents Roxane Dumouchel and Allison Dechiro, who have lived in the Highlands community for nearly three years, walked KHOU 11 News’ Michelle Choi through the wooded area where the tree once stood. The women say the nest had been active for years and was well-known throughout the neighborhood.
“This is the main tree that they were in,” Dechiro said, describing it as a tall, healthy tree that rose above the surrounding canopy. It was the only tree cut down in the small forested area, along with a smaller tree intertwined with it, the women said.
Both Dumouchel and Dechiro believe the removal was targeted. They told KHOU 11 the destruction left them angry and heartbroken.
“It’s sad for the eagles,” Dumouchel said. “They fly back and they don’t know where their home is that’s been here for years.”
Residents say they reported the active nest to federal wildlife officials more than a year ago to help protect it. Documentation of bald eagle nests is routine, as the birds, along with their nests and nest trees, are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
“The Fish and Wildlife was contacted and they came out and they did a report investigation,” Dumouchel said, adding that officials previously informed her they would notify any parties working on the land to avoid disturbing the area.
The last time neighbors saw the eagle pair at the tree was Nov. 8, just days before the tree was cut down. Both women said no other trees in the area were touched.
“They were family,” Dechiro said. “It’s something so rare in this country, and we felt privileged to have them in our community.”
Texas Audubon avian biologist Tim Forrester said an active bald eagle nest would have been “pretty unmissable,” describing it as one of the largest structures created by any animal.
While eagles are known to be resilient and capable of rebuilding nests, Forrester said losing one can delay their breeding season. “Maybe they have to skip a nesting season because it takes a long time to build the nest,” he said.
Despite the loss, neighbors believe the same eagle pair may already be rebuilding a new nest about 100 yards away after several recent sightings.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says its criminal investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the agency’s Office of Law Enforcement.
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