USFWS Placement of nonreleasable eagles

Dear US Member,

Below find a letter from the US National Migratory Bird Permit Coordinator about the USFWS policy on placement of nonreleasable eagles.

 

We are aware that there is considerable concern and confusion about U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy regarding placement of nonreleasable eagles with Native American eagle aviaries.  I wanted to provide some interim information and clarification while we are awaiting finalization of internal guidance on this issue.

The Service has a responsibility under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. 1996) to facilitate the right of Native Americans to exercise their traditional religions. We have drafted a policy statement that would provide first priority to Native American eagle aviaries when placing rehabilitated, nonreleasable eagles that are suitable for placement in these facilities.  Currently, Native American eagle aviary permits have been issued to three tribes– the Zuni, Iowa, and Comanche (Sia)—which have well-trained staff and facilities that meet or exceed our guidelines for housing nonreleasable eagles.  The main purpose of the aviary is to provide tribal members with molted feathers for religious purposes.

What we envision is that if a tribe advises us of a need for an eagle, we will consider that need and try to accommodate it in the course of approving transfers of nonreleasable eagles from rehabilitators to other qualified entities.  We and the tribes recognize that not every nonreleasable eagle would be a good fit for an aviary setting or, alternatively, a particular eagle may be a particularly good fit for a different purpose, such as on-the-glove education.  This, too, will be factored into any decision on transferring eagles.  When there is no request from an aviary for additional eagles, the process for how eagles are placed at other qualified facilities will be the same as in the past.  Although the Service is ultimately responsible for the decision on where an eagle will be placed, we recognize that you devote considerable time and funds to rehabilitating eagles and we both want their best interest considered.

The draft policy is wending its way through the review process for signature.  It is difficult to predict how long it will take and whether it will be revised along the way.  If and when it is approved, we will post it on our website and send a letter to all federally permitted rehabilitators.

If you could share this information with your membership and other interested parties, we would appreciate it.
Susan
Susan M. Lawrence
National Migratory Bird Permit Coordinator
Division of Migratory Bird Management, USFWS
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 4107
Arlington, VA 22203-1610