Monday March 1, 2010, 8:20 pm
EXCERPT: We conclude that the best information available does not indicate that persistence in the ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert Area is important to the species as a whole.

But it's important as an indigenous species to the REGION...imagine Native American art from the region w/ out the influence of the bald eagle....with the loss of each species human perception narrows.....How about asking the residents what they want.

Suddenly abhorrent a-holes are are shpieling their crap at an accelerated pace.

Monday March 1, 2010, 8:23 pm
That excerpt is an old BushCo line as I recall that's being perpetuated.

Monday March 1, 2010, 8:28 pm
How crazy is this? Especially if you poked further in and looked at this article:

In one of the stranger summer sagas (in a summer where there were many) a hiker who discovered a decapitated bald eagle in Colorado set off a series of events that led to a bounty placed on information leading to the mutilator's capture, a look into the black market eagle trade, and an introduction to a little known place called the National Eagle Repository--essentially the United States' eagle morgue. Here's what happened.

From Big Green Boulder:

In June, a hiker discovered a beheaded bald eagle corpse ... in Boulder. The gory find spurred countywide concern and even a $2,500 Humane Society reward for tips on the source of the mutilated eagle. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that the eagle mutilation was part of a growing trend fueled by the black market value of eagle feathers and talons

The incident shed light on the incredible sums netted by such black market eagle trading--a single golden or bald eagle carcass is worth $1,500 or so, individual tail feathers around $100, and a whole tail fan is worth at least $500. As intrigue continued to grow, the Department of Wildlife received an anonymous tip that the eagle had been beheaded, legally, in a Native American religious ceremony. The Native Americans were afraid their rituals would be portrayed unfairly, and held a press conference to educate the public about their practices.

But then, the question remained--if the bird was obtained and used in a ritual, then where did it come from? Why, the National Eagle Repository, of course. From BGG:

The National Eagle Repository is the home for all recovered dead bald and golden eagles in the U.S., but not a lot of folks — no, not even eagle enthusiast and former Attorney General John Ashcroft — had ever heard of it before this summer.

The Eagle Repository is in the business of fielding requests for eagles and eagle parts and shipping them to Native Americans across the country. Since it's against the law to kill, maim, sell, or trade bald or golden eagles--even for Native Americans, the penalty for violating such laws is up to $100,000 and a year in prison--they have to submit a request to the repository and wait for an order to be filled. The repository, of course, is where dead eagles are collected and stored until they're shipped out.

The Denver Post did a fascinating report on the National Eagle Repository, and revealed that the place has a thriving business: it ships 30 dead eagles a weak, and 100-150 shipments of loose feathers. And they cater the orders to the requesters' demands--some want only feathers or talons, some want the wings, and some wait until a bird in perfect condition is available. For more information on the ceremony, read the account of the whole affair over at Native Biz.

So there you have it: the United States has a national eagle morgue. Who knew?

Thanks Alisa, I'm saddened.

Monday March 1, 2010, 11:42 pm
Thanks dear Alisa, noted

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 12:46 pm
I love bald eagles.

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 12:54 pm
No protection for the national bird, the symbol of the USA? I guess future generations will just have to make due with the gold-plated ones on top of the flag poles.

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 1:13 pm
How sad that such a beautiful bird, and the national bird of the USA should lose its protection.

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 2:09 pm
Just 48 breeding pairs.. That doesn't seem like enough to take them off the list

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 2:35 pm
Noted.

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 5:28 pm
There's no way that could pass. The government wouldn't allow it.

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 6:54 pm
This is craxy. 48 breeding pairs? If unprotected, they'll be at almost zero in no time. Good luck with that.

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 9:04 pm
thanks for the post

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 9:59 pm
Makes me angry at the assumption that they have the right to decide on the fate of any living creature. Who appointed them Creator?

Wednesday March 3, 2010, 7:34 am
Keep Bald Eagles protected!

Wednesday March 3, 2010, 1:57 pm
We must continue to protect these magnificent birds!