A serious accusation of animal cruelty emerged in the United States this week. A protectionist organization accuses federal authorities of allowing the ritual sacrifice of eagles.
“Our government is silently allowing the capture and ritual sacrifice of protected raptors,” claimed the Animal Wellness Action organization.
Among the mentioned birds are the bald eagles, golden eagles, and red-tailed hawks.
Is ritual eagle sacrifice allowed?
The association directly accused the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service (formerly U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
According to an extensive document published on the official Animal Wellness Action website, both agencies “facilitate” the “ritual torture and sacrifice of wild raptors belonging to all Americans”.
This is despite Congress deeming it necessary to protect these birds. There are the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
“Under exemptions from both laws, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) allows the Hopi tribe of Arizona to torture and sacrifice golden eagles and red-tailed hawks captured on public lands,” they point out in the NGO.
Seeking to protect the eagles.
“And the National Park Service (NPS) allows the Jemez Pueblo tribe of New Mexico to torture and sacrifice bald or golden eagles (so far, one of each species) captured in the Valles Caldera National Preserve,” they add.
As described, the ritual works as follows: they take eagle and hawk chicks from their nests in the spring and tie them to adobe roofs.
They feed them bits of rabbits and mice, “presented with children’s toys,” and tell them they should feel honored to be chosen for the ritual.
“The eagles and hawks, as explained by the Hopi elders, are pampered like beloved children until the Niman, or Home Dance, in mid-July,” they relate in the document.
“Then they are covered with blankets or cornmeal so they can travel to the ‘other world’ and tell the gods about their goodness and generosity,” they add.
The NGO denounces that the birds remain tied under the sun for almost three months. “Sometimes their eyelids are sewn shut and the straps around their legs wear away the skin and tendons,” they claim.
Accusation against authorities
As part of the accusation, local authorities are targeted. “In 2022, the USFWS issued an annual capture permit to the Hopis for 50 red-tailed hawks until March 31, 2026. And they issued a ‘capture’ permit for 40 golden eagles,” they accuse.
This is compounded, as they claim, by permits issued in 2023, 2024, and 2025. “The USFWS monitoring of eagle captures has been sporadic and infrequent,” they note.
“Sanctuaries for capture and suffering”
In addition to the permits, the NGO claims that “for the first time, the NPS opened a unit of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico for eagle capture.”
This, they allege, violates NPS’s old regulations and federal law. “It sets a dangerous precedent by authorizing the Jemez tribes to capture and sacrifice bald or golden eagles,” they denounce.
The NPS Organic Act requires the agency to “conserve the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife” of all units where hunting is not permitted. Leaving them intact, a provision that only Congress can exempt.
Which birds are affected.
Moreover, in the extensive text signed by Ted Williams (lifelong hunter and fisherman, former information officer of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife), it is emphasized that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that:
- The NPS informs the public about actions affecting the environment of a unit
- That the public has the opportunity to comment on such actions.
“The implications are enormous,” said Frank Buono, retired Deputy Superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park in California.
“The Jemez tribes can capture eagles from the Grand Canyon National Park just as easily, as legally there is no distinction between capturing wildlife from one and not the other,” he added.
“And the word will spread to other tribes. If the Jemez tribes can capture eagles from the Valles Caldera National Preserve, why not the Oglala and Yankton Sioux from Badlands National Park, or the Chippewa from Voyageurs National Park?” they wondered.
