Montana men face charges for killing and trafficking bald eagles
Men Indicted for Killing Thousands of Bald Eagles in Montana
Two men in Montana, Simon Paul, 42, and Travis John Branson, 48, have been accused of a heinous crime – the mass murder of thousands of birds, including the iconic bald eagles. According to reports, they callously sold off the parts and feathers of these majestic creatures on the black market.
The charges against Paul and Branson are grave – one count of conspiracy, 13 counts of unlawfully trafficking bald and golden eagles, and one count of violating the Lacey Act, which prohibits the trafficking of illegally taken wildlife.
“The defendants then illegally sold the eagles on the black market for significant sums of cash across the United States and elsewhere,” prosecutors argued.
Over a period of six years, from January 2015 to March 2021, Paul and Branson are accused of ruthlessly slaughtering more than 3,600 birds near the Flathead Indian Reservation.
The bald eagle, a symbol of strength and freedom in the U.S., faced the brink of extinction in the 1990s due to various threats such as habitat destruction, fish contamination, and the vulnerability of their eggs. In 1940, killing bald eagles was declared illegal, and in 1967, they were added to the endangered species list.
Fortunately, efforts to restore their population led to bald eagles being moved to the threatened species list in 2007. However, the actions of Paul and Branson pose a significant setback to these conservation efforts.
If convicted, Paul and Branson could face severe consequences – up to 11 years in prison and fines of up to $275,000 each.
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