Poaching Threatens Golden Eagles Amid Demand

Golden eagles in America are increasingly threatened by a black market for their feathers, which are significant in Native American culture for ceremonies and powwows. Despite a government crackdown on illegal trafficking, a backlog in the legal distribution of eagle parts to tribal members exacerbates the issue, leading to more illegal killings, especially of young eagles valued for their feathers. A recent conviction linked to the black market revealed a Washington state man involved in the deaths of at least 118 eagles, facing potential years in prison and substantial restitution. Undercover operations have uncovered extensive illegal activities, with 35 individuals charged over the past decade. Tribal members express frustration with the time-consuming legal process for obtaining eagle feathers, while also condemning illegal poaching. Eagle feathers hold deep cultural significance, used in various rites including graduations and marriages.