Travis John Branson pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to illegally hunt and sell bald and golden eagles, facing up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His co-defendant, Simon Paul, is still on the run. The men routinely met on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana to hunt eagles, selling their parts for significant sums of cash. The killing of bald eagles, a national symbol, was seen as particularly flagrant, and it remains unclear how many of the 3,600 birds killed were eagles.
Travis John Branson is set to plead guilty to participating in a "killing spree" of 3,600 birds, including protected golden and bald eagles, and selling their body parts and feathers on the black market. The birds were killed near the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, and Branson's alleged partner, Simon Paul, is also indicted. The charges carry a maximum total of 13 years in prison.
The beloved bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, are unlikely to see their three eggs hatch, as they have missed the typical 35-day window for hatching. Fans are heartbroken but still hopeful for a miracle, while experts cite environmental and biological factors as potential reasons for the eggs not hatching. Jackie and Shadow will likely continue tending to the eggs for a while before eventually abandoning the nest, and this outcome does not predict their future breeding success. Wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to continue observing and learning from this natural process.
The first of three eggs belonging to a famous Big Bear bald eagle couple is unlikely to hatch, according to an expert, while the other two eggs still have a chance. Tens of thousands of followers have been watching the process on a live nest cam provided by Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV). The eagles themselves will indicate when the remaining eggs are no longer viable, and the couple's nest is located in Big Bear Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains.
A Washington state man is set to plead guilty to charges related to his involvement in the illegal killing and trafficking of over 3,000 birds, including bald eagles, for their feathers, which are highly prized by Native American tribes for ceremonial use. The man and a co-defendant are accused of selling eagle parts on the black market, with feathers from immature golden eagles being especially valued. The case highlights the ongoing problem of illegal wildlife trafficking and the need for stronger enforcement against buyers to disrupt the market.
Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bald eagles in Big Bear Valley, are caring for their three eggs as viewers eagerly await the start of "pip watch" in two weeks. The couple's loving bond and the rare sight of three eggs have captivated audiences, with the nest cam capturing their activities as they prepare for the hatching process. With warmer temperatures, the snow in the nest box has started to melt, revealing all three eggs, and the eagles have been busy reinforcing the nest. Viewers can follow the Egg Watch 2024 on the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s YouTube page.
Thousands of fans are rooting for a bald eagle named Jackie, who recently laid three eggs in a nest in Southern California's San Bernardino Mountains, as she and her mate, Shadow, weathered a snowstorm. The live stream of the nest has attracted a global audience, with viewers expressing hope for the successful hatching of the eggs. Jackie has had a low success rate with her eggs in the past, but fans remain optimistic as they eagerly await the possibility of witnessing three fuzzy hatchlings.
A federal judge issued an arrest warrant for Simon Paul, who failed to appear in court on charges of slaughtering over 3,600 protected birds, including bald eagles, and selling them on the black market. Paul and co-defendant Travis John Branson are accused of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act by illegally shooting and trafficking the birds. Branson pleaded not guilty and was released on conditions, while court documents revealed their alleged use of a dead deer to bait eagles for shooting. The bald eagle, America's national emblem, has been protected under the law since 1940, and the population began to recover after being an endangered species until 2007.
A Montana man accused of killing thousands of birds, including bald and golden eagles, failed to appear in court, prompting a federal judge to issue an arrest warrant. The man, along with another defendant, is charged with unlawfully trafficking eagles and violating wildlife trafficking laws. They allegedly worked with others to hunt and kill the birds and sell their parts on the black market. Bald and golden eagles are considered sacred by Native Americans, and their killing is prohibited by US law.
Two men from Montana and Washington have been charged with killing approximately 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, over a six-year period and selling their parts on the black market. The men conspired with others to hunt and kill the birds, using tactics such as luring eagles with a dead deer. They sold eagle feathers, tails, wings, and other parts for significant sums of cash across the United States. The killings took place on the Flathead Indian Reservation and other locations. The illegal trade in eagle parts is driven by a backlog of permit requests for religious purposes, creating a market for illegal eagle parts.
Two men from Montana and Washington have been charged with killing approximately 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, in a "killing spree" and selling their parts on the black market. The men conspired with others to hunt and kill the birds, using tactics such as luring eagles with a dead deer. They sold eagle feathers, tails, wings, and other parts for significant sums of cash across the United States. The killings began in 2015 and continued until 2021. Bald and golden eagles are protected by U.S. law, and the illegal trade in their parts is driven by a backlog of permit requests for legitimate religious purposes. The accused face multiple charges of unlawful trafficking and violating wildlife trafficking laws.
Two men in Montana have been indicted for allegedly killing approximately 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, and selling them on the black market. The men are facing charges of conspiracy, unlawful trafficking of eagles, and violating the Lacey Act. The indictment states that one of the men traveled from Washington to Montana to shoot the birds, while the other served as a shooter and shipper. The bald and golden eagle protection laws prohibit the taking of these birds or their parts without a permit. The accused are expected to appear in court on January 8.
Two men in Montana have been charged with hunting and killing approximately 3,600 birds, including bald eagles, and selling them on the black market. Court documents reveal that the accused men knowingly and willfully engaged in the illegal activity, with messages indicating their intent to obtain tail feathers for future sales. The men face charges of conspiracy, unlawfully trafficking bald and golden eagles, and violating the Lacey Act, a conservation law combating wildlife trafficking. If convicted, they could face imprisonment, fines, and supervised release. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, enacted to protect these national symbols, criminalizes the taking, selling, hunting, or offering to sell eagles or their parts. Shootings are a leading cause of death for protected birds in certain states, according to a recent study.
Two men have been charged with illegally killing thousands of birds, including bald and golden eagles, and selling their body parts for profit. The men allegedly killed around 3,600 birds over several years and sold the carcasses or portions of them on the black market. They have been charged with conspiracy, unlawful trafficking, and violating the Lacey Act, a federal law against illegal wildlife trafficking. The accused hunters targeted bald and golden eagles in Montana, with one acting as the shooter and shipper, while the other traveled from Washington to meet him. The men boasted about their crimes and referred to themselves as being on a "killing spree." The bald eagle population has quadrupled since being delisted from the endangered species list in 2007, but still faces threats such as lead poisoning and wind energy farms. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned in January.
Two men have been charged with killing approximately 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, in Montana and selling their parts on the black market. The men allegedly worked with others to hunt and kill the birds, using tactics such as luring eagles with a dead deer. They conspired to sell eagle feathers, tails, wings, and other parts for significant sums of cash across the United States. The defendants face multiple counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, as well as conspiracy and violating wildlife trafficking laws.
