2 men are charged with killing 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, to sell on the black market

Two individuals are facing serious charges for their involvement in a disturbing case involving the killing of approximately 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles. This unlawful act occurred across Montana’s Flathead Indian Reservation and other locations, and the perpetrators subsequently engaged in the illicit sale of eagle parts on the black market. This ongoing issue has raised significant concerns among U.S. wildlife officials.

According to a federal grand jury indictment, the two accused individuals, Simon Paul, aged 42 from St. Ignatius, Montana, and Travis John Branson, aged 48 from Cusick, Washington, collaborated with others to carry out these acts of hunting and killing birds. The indictment even mentions a disturbing incident where they used a deceased deer as bait to lure an eagle before shooting it. Moreover, they conspired with unnamed associates to profit from the sale of eagle feathers, tails, wings, and other parts, generating substantial sums of cash across the United States and beyond.

The indictment outlines 13 counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles against the defendants, along with charges of conspiracy and violating wildlife trafficking laws. Text messages retrieved during the investigation revealed that Branson and his associates referred to their actions as a “killing spree,” indicating their intent to collect more eagle tail feathers for future illegal sales.

This series of illegal killings commenced in January 2015 and persisted until 2021 in the vicinity of Ronan, Montana, within the Flathead Reservation, which is home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Unfortunately, the indictment does not specify how many of the 3,600 birds killed were eagles.

Illegal shootings have been identified as a leading cause of golden eagle fatalities, as documented in a recent government study. The use of eagle feathers holds deep cultural and traditional significance, particularly among American Indian communities. Members of these tribes use eagle feathers for traditional dress and ceremonial purposes.

While tribal law enforcement was involved in the investigation of Paul and Branson, the reasons for the delay in bringing charges are not clear. It is worth noting that both bald and golden eagles are revered by American Indians, with U.S. law strictly prohibiting the killing, wounding, or disturbance of eagles, as well as the removal of nests or eggs. Even the possession of feathers found in the wild can result in criminal charges.

Federally recognized tribes can seek permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire bald or golden eagles for religious purposes, and enrolled tribal members can request eagle feathers and other parts from the National Eagle Repository. Unfortunately, there is a significant backlog of requests for these permits, which may contribute to the black market for eagle parts. Feathers from young golden eagles are particularly sought after, with waiting periods of up to five years to receive them from the repository.

Addressing these delays could potentially help reduce the illegal trade in eagle parts, as noted by eagle researchers. The region where these birds were allegedly shot is known for its high concentrations of eagles and other large raptors, making it a prime location for such illegal activities.

Officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the permit backlog for tribes. Montana U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich’s office is prosecuting the case, and they declined to provide further comments beyond the information presented in the indictment.

Bald eagles, the national symbol of the United States, faced a significant decline last century due to factors such as the pesticide DDT. However, they have rebounded under federal protections and were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Golden eagles, on the other hand, face greater challenges, with threats including shootings, energy development, lead poisoning, and other issues pushing the species towards decline. The U.S. currently has an estimated 346,000 bald eagles compared to approximately 40,000 golden eagles, which require larger habitats and are more susceptible to human-related problems.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the illegal activities that continue to threaten these majestic birds and the urgent need for enforcement and conservation efforts to protect them from harm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wildlife Crime

More about Wildlife Crime

• US Fish and Wildlife Service – Bald and Golden Eagles
• Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
• National Eagle Repository
• Illegal Wildlife Trade Overview
• Golden Eagle Conservation
• Environmental Impact of Illegal Wildlife Trade