Historian

14 More Bald Eagles Found Mutilated

KOMO - TV-4 News
By Liz Rocca

NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. - Another gruesome discovery in British Columbia, where officials have found 14 bald eagles dead and mutilated.

Earlier this month, investigators found 26 dead eagles killed in a similar way.

Wildlife agents tell KOMO 4 News that poachers are responsible; they are killing these beautiful birds in order to sell their coveted parts on the black market.

A tip led Canadian wildlife agents to a wooded area on a local Indian reserve in North Vancouver. They found 14 mangled eagles dumped in a ravine; their wings, talons and tail feathers removed.

Since early February, Canadian wildlife officials say 40 eagles have been killed for their valuable parts

"The eagle parts are generally used in first nations cultural and ceremonial purposes throughout North America," said Rick Hahn, Canadian Conservation Agent.

Investigators say the talons and tail feathers were probably smuggled in to the U.S. -- possibly through our state. Poachers get as much as $250 for a single tail feather, and more for the talons.

Earlier this month in the same area, Julie Bryson-McElwee stumbled onto 26 dead eagles during a walk in the woods.

"I found a shallow grave and there were three beaks sticking out of it, and there were garbage bags laying around," she said.

Local U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents say several hundred eagles winter in Skagit County -- not far from the Canadian border. But at this point, they have no evidence any birds were killed here and smuggled north.

Canadian authorities are now offering a $10,000 reward for information.

The slaughter has bird watchers and conservationists outraged.

"If they are lining their pockets for the black market I hope you enjoy it, because you're going to hell," said one woman.

Eagles are protected birds in Canada, and the killers could face jail time and fines.

Here in the U.S., the birds are protected too. And smuggling their parts is illegal.

In fact, the eagle is so revered here, it's illegal for anyone but a Native American to possess eagle talons or feathers.

And even Native Americans must have a permit before they do so.

__________________

"Be good, be kind, help each other."
"Respect the ground, respect the drum, respect each other."
(Abe Conklin, Ponca/Osage, 1926-1995)

DeusExMachina

Note the one guy trying to implicate us. They need to be looking at those nuts over in europe with all the money and no morals

__________________
Mad Scientists Union Local 42
Evil Geniuses For a Better Tomorrow

The secret of my succes is 30% natural talent, 10% inspiration, and the remaining 60% is just the fact that I am nucking futs.

1badazzndn

Non-Indian or Indian, that crap just aint right. I would be more hurt if it were ndn(s) involved. Hopefully theyll catch the bayastards soon before more of our sacred birds our slaughtered