Illegal Eagle Feather Trade Threatens Sacred Native Ceremonies

A growing black market for eagle feathers, crucial to Native American traditions, is intensifying due to government supply shortages.

The black market for eagle feathers is expanding as demand for ceremonial use in Native American powwows increases.
A government program legally distributing eagle feathers to tribal members is backlogged, exacerbating illegal poaching.
A recent conviction in Montana revealed a poaching ring responsible for killing thousands of birds, including eagles, for illegal sale.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has intensified efforts to combat eagle trafficking, but limited resources hinder long-term investigations.
The National Eagle Repository struggles to meet the high demand for eagle parts, with some requests dating back over a decade.