Photo by Photo Submitted
MISSING FEATHERS – The bird in question was found April 25 in a dumpster at Chapman Lake, approximately 100 kilometres up the Dempster. Photo courtesy ENVIRONMENT YUKON
Public’s help sought after discovery of golden eagle
Conservation officers are seeking the public’s assistance with the investigation of a golden eagle found dead on the Dempster Highway with its wings and tail feathers removed.
Conservation officers are seeking the public’s assistance with the investigation of a golden eagle found dead on the Dempster Highway with its wings and tail feathers removed.
Ryan Hennings, manager of enforcement for Environment Yukon, said this morning the bird was found April 25 in a dumpster at Chapman Lake, approximately 100 kilometres up the Dempster.
An examination of the carcass suggests the eagle was hit and killed by a motor vehicle.
He said it is illegal to possess birds of prey or parts of birds of prey.
While there is a black market for eagle feathers, Hennings said, officers are not suggesting that’s the case here.
“I am saying we do not know what circumstances are around this,” he said. “We are asking for information because we do not know what is going on.”
He said officers have been unsuccessful in their investigation so far, which is why they are now turning to the public for any information that might assist.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-661-0525, or call the conservation officers directly at 667-8005.
Hennings said the feathers are valuable on the black market, particularly for First Nation headdresses and other ceremonial dress.
Poaching eagles has been notable of late in Alberta and Saskatchewan, he said.
Hennings said the value of feathers for one headdress can run up to $30,000.
The golden eagle is larger than the bald eagle, making it the largest bird of prey in the Yukon.
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Comments (8)
Up 8 Down 1
Yukoner on Jun 12, 2015 at 10:46 am
Nicky give your head a shake. I'm white and if there's an eagle feather on the ground, I pick it up. A good way to get eagle feathers is with a boat on the shore lines.
Up 9 Down 15
Nicky on Jun 10, 2015 at 12:27 am
Sorry, but yes, FN use eagle feathers, BUT, the reason is because they are sacred and treasured. Would they really throw the animal in a dumpster afterwards? Doubtful. April is when many people travel the park, but many from Tuk and Inuvik, too. We don't know who did this. It was an accident that they hit it, but they should open up and be honest. The story brings awareness, too, that it is illegal to possess any part of a bird of prey. I would say eagle feathers should only be kept if they've fallen off the animal (for First Nations).
Up 15 Down 2
Anontmous on Jun 9, 2015 at 7:22 pm
Are you kidding me!! At no point did anyone insinuate that First Nations were responsible for anything. Where on earth did that come from?
Up 13 Down 18
wolverine on Jun 9, 2015 at 6:06 pm
Most aboriginals would have taken the whole bird and respectfully buried the body without the wings and tail. The fact that the body was discarded disrespectfully in the trash means it was more likely done by people who have no respect for anything but money.
Up 30 Down 4
Just Say'ina on Jun 9, 2015 at 2:50 pm
First June it says that the bird was killed by a car, not murdered as you choose to add for some reason. Also Ryan I would think that it would be better if you didn't state a black market value for these feathers as it helps nothing, and can only make more people aware of the opportunity. Why sensationalize this?
Up 21 Down 11
A.Lundquist on Jun 9, 2015 at 1:48 pm
It was hit by a vehicle read the full article before jumping to blame someone be it first nations or others.
Up 16 Down 39
James MacDonald on Jun 9, 2015 at 11:39 am
It bothers me that the insinuation here is that First Nations are somehow being linked to this dead bird, without even a shred of evidence, at least none presented in this article. Americans and Europeans regularly travel the Dempster, yet no aspersions cast their way. Or how about just your regular Yukoner?
Up 17 Down 37
June Jackson on Jun 9, 2015 at 8:18 am
It bothers me that there are so many killers in Whitehorse at the moment.. they kill everything..people.. we have a couple of murders outstanding..no clue..for every helpless animal we find..how many have they killed that we didn't find?
Someone knows who killed this bird.. this one was killed for the feathers.. those will show up in someones hat or costume..
It also bothers me that someone knows who did it..and they aren't talking.