Auburn Eagle Nest Controversy Sparks Outrage

A controversy has erupted in Auburn, Alabama, after a developer, Hughston Homes, cut down a tree housing a beloved bald eagles' nest despite public outcry and a scheduled meeting with city officials to discuss preservation options. The nest, home to eagles Jim and Pam, was removed under a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) permit, although questions have been raised about the monitoring of eagle activity. The decision has sparked outrage from residents and wildlife advocates, resulting in over 7,500 signatures on a petition urging the developer to reconsider its plans for a 46-home subdivision. Critics argue that the USFWS should have verified the nest's activity firsthand rather than relying on the developer's self-reporting. Hughston Homes claims it consulted wildlife experts before proceeding and has made a donation to a conservation fund, yet many feel that alternative solutions that protect eagle habitats should have been explored. The city seeks an investigation into whether the permit's terms were followed, as video evidence suggests the eagles were still using the nest.