Stop the Eagle Slaughter And Protect Our National Symbol
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Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site
America’s eagles are being ruthlessly hunted for profit, tearing at the fabric of cultural heritage and wildlife conservation—take a stand now to protect these sacred birds and uphold Native traditions.
America’s bald eagles, symbols of freedom and resilience, are facing a growing threat from poachers driven by the black-market demand for their feathers. Native American communities, who rely on eagle feathers for sacred ceremonies and cultural practices, struggle to meet demand legally through the government’s National Eagle Repository, where requests can take years to fulfill. This backlog creates a dangerous gap that criminals are exploiting to profit from these iconic birds, putting eagles and tribal traditions at serious risk1.
A Black Market Fueled by Exploitation
Despite federal protections, thousands of bald and golden eagles have been illegally killed, with poachers and trafficking rings targeting these birds to supply high-value black-market transactions. Many illegal feathers end up in Native American regalia sold at powwows and online, feeding a cycle that not only exploits Native traditions but further endangers eagle populations already under pressure from other environmental threats like habitat loss and climate change1.
A Poaching Crisis Revealed
The magnitude of this crisis has been revealed through recent federal investigations. In one case, a Washington state poacher led a group that killed over 3,600 birds, including hundreds of eagles, on a Native American reservation in Montana. This operation, described as a “killing spree” by investigators, involved luring eagles with animal carcasses, then shooting and dismembering them for sale. Court documents highlighted the group’s casual disregard for these animals’ lives, with participants boasting of their extensive kills in text messages2.
Resource Limitations in Protecting Eagles
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement and the National Eagle Repository strive to protect eagles and meet the needs of Native American communities by distributing legally sourced feathers. However, limited resources severely hinder their ability to combat trafficking and meet demand. The repository’s capacity is overwhelmed, and the years-long backlog leaves tribal members waiting in frustration while poachers profit from their cultural needs. Without additional funding, illegal killings will continue to undermine both eagle populations and the respectful practices of Native American communities3.
Why We Need Immediate Action
Protecting our national symbol and respecting Native American traditions requires urgent action. We need increased resources to support legal feather distribution and strengthen federal enforcement. Enhanced funding will empower wildlife officers to dismantle poaching networks, expedite legal requests for eagle feathers, and provide educational outreach within Native communities about the importance of conservation4.
Sign the petition today to demand immediate action from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies to close the gap that threatens both America’s eagles and Native American cultural heritage.
- Matthew Brown, Associated Press (30 October 2024), "Poachers are exploiting the high demand for eagle feathers that are sacred among Native Americans."
- Hank Sanders, The New York Times (31 October 2024), "Man Who Killed Hundreds of Eagles and Hawks Gets Nearly 4 Years in Prison."
- OregonLive (3 November 2024), "NW man who killed eagles on Montana reservation as part of massive trafficking ring gets prison."
- Cristian Garza, KREM News (1 November 2024), "Coeur d'Alene Tribe reacts to Washington man who was sentenced for killing 3,600 birds, including eagles."
The Petition:
To the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, Chief of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Attorney,
We, the undersigned, call on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, the Chief of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Attorney to dedicate additional resources to halt the illegal trafficking of bald and golden eagle feathers. This black market exploits the cultural needs of Native American communities while threatening the survival of these majestic birds that hold profound ecological and symbolic value in the United States.
Eagle feathers are irreplaceable elements of many tribal ceremonies and traditions, symbolizing strength, spirituality, and a sacred connection to ancestors. However, the high demand for these feathers, combined with limited access through legal channels, has created a dangerous opportunity for poachers who supply feathers on the black market. In the process, these poaching operations desecrate our national symbol and harm Native American communities who rely on eagles for their spiritual and cultural practices. As it stands, the National Eagle Repository cannot meet the overwhelming demand, leaving tribal members with few choices, as poachers exploit this gap for profit.
We respectfully request that funding and resources be increased to:
- Bolster the National Eagle Repository’s capacity, ensuring that legally obtained eagle feathers are available to tribal communities in a timely manner.
- Strengthen law enforcement efforts to identify, arrest, and prosecute those involved in illegal poaching and trafficking of eagles and their parts.
- Support educational programs within Native American communities and other regions to inform people about legal access to eagle feathers and the importance of conservation.
By allocating additional resources to both enforce anti-poaching laws and enhance legal access to eagle feathers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office can help preserve eagle populations for future generations. Furthermore, these actions will demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding not only a vital species but also the cultural heritage of Native American tribes, for whom the eagle remains an emblem of strength, resilience, and tradition.
With these steps, we can secure a future where our national symbol flies free and all communities are respected, fostering a landscape of harmony, humanity, and conservation for generations to come.
Sincerely,
