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1962 by amending the "Bald Eagle Protection Act" of 1940 to the "Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act."

Today in the US, only enrolled members of a Federally recognized tribe can legally obtain golden eagles, and obtain ability can only be done through the National Eagle Repository in Colorado. The repository serves as a temporary "morgue" for all dead eagles to collect data on the animal then send the bird to the tribe member who is next on the waiting list to receive a bird. Currently, there is about a 3 1/2 year wait for a full eagle.

High in demand, the eagles at the repository are guarded like gold. And, on the black market, an eagle is worth more than gold. One eagle has approximately 7,000 feathers. It is believed one ill-gotten feather can fetch one hundred dollars.

The future of the golden eagle has yet to be seen. But, today the eagle is no longer an endangered species. Strict, regulated laws with up to $100,000 fines and five years in prison per offense have reduced the number of trappers, hunters, and poachers willing to take their chances for this trophy catch. Because of the regulations, after decades of their numbers decreasing worldwide, the golden eagle has recovered and is a healthy species today.

Whatever the future holds for the birds stability, the golden eagle will forever be a symbol of beauty, a courageous hunter, a spiritual messenger. And, for the golden eagles to possess these qualities is for them to have earned the title, "The Majesties of the Sky."

Sources:
Web:
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity
The San Diego Zoo's Animal Bytes
The US Fish and Wildlife Services
Alaska Raptor Center
The National Eagle Repository
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Desert USA
Native American Designs and Symbols

Books:
Western Birds, Hal H. Harrison
Western Bird's Nest, Hal. H. Harrison
Bird's of North America, St. Martin's Press

Learn more about this author, Dori Beldi.
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