Final signature count: 10,243

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America’s bald eagles, symbols of freedom and resilience, are facing a growing threat from poachers driven by the black-market demand for their feathers. Native American communities, who rely on eagle feathers for sacred ceremonies and cultural practices, struggle to meet demand legally through the government’s National Eagle Repository, where requests can take years to fulfill. This backlog creates a dangerous gap that criminals are exploiting to profit from these iconic birds, putting eagles and tribal traditions at serious risk¹.

A Black Market Fueled by Exploitation

Despite federal protections, thousands of bald and golden eagles have been illegally killed, with poachers and trafficking rings targeting these birds to supply high-value black-market transactions. Many illegal feathers end up in Native American regalia sold at powwows and online, feeding a cycle that not only exploits Native traditions but further endangers eagle populations already under pressure from other environmental threats like habitat loss and climate change¹.

A Poaching Crisis Revealed

The magnitude of this crisis has been revealed through recent federal investigations. In one case, a Washington state poacher led a group that killed over 3,600 birds, including hundreds of eagles, on a Native American reservation in Montana. This operation, described as a “killing spree” by investigators, involved luring eagles with animal carcasses, then shooting and dismembering them for sale. Court documents highlighted the group’s casual disregard for these animals’ lives, with participants boasting of their extensive kills in text messages².

Resource Limitations in Protecting Eagles

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement and the National Eagle Repository strive to protect eagles and meet the needs of Native American communities by distributing legally sourced feathers. However, limited resources severely hinder their ability to combat trafficking and meet demand. The repository’s capacity is overwhelmed, and the years-long backlog leaves tribal members waiting in frustration while poachers profit from their cultural needs. Without additional funding, illegal killings will continue to undermine both eagle populations and the respectful practices of Native American communities³.

Why We Need Immediate Action

Protecting our national symbol and respecting Native American traditions requires urgent action. We need increased resources to support legal feather distribution and strengthen federal enforcement. Enhanced funding will empower wildlife officers to dismantle poaching networks, expedite legal requests for eagle feathers, and provide educational outreach within Native communities about the importance of conservation⁴.

Sign the petition today to demand immediate action from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies to close the gap that threatens both America’s eagles and Native American cultural heritage.