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Man Who Beheaded Eagle Was A Native American

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Jul 2, 2009 8:34 am US/Mountain

Man Who Beheaded Eagle Was A Native American

Reporting
Shaun Boyd
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) ― A young man who beheaded a bald eagle in Boulder County will not face charges.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife says he had a federal permit that allowed him to use the eagle parts for religious purposes.

Two hikers discovered the carcass last month at Legion Park Hill. Its head, talons and tail feathers were missing and it was wrapped in a red cloth. Wildlife officers initially thought poachers were responsible.

"I think anytime you find a raptor of that size dead it's unusual," said Jerry Neal with the Division.

Neal says wildlife officers got a tip that the eagle had been beheaded for religion not money and approached the Native American Rights Fund in Boulder. He says the group confirmed a young man from a local tribe was responsible.

"Native Americans hold the eagle in very high esteem. It has very significant religious meaning to them. They are the only ones who can legally possess feathers and other items from bald eagles," said Neal.

The man apparently thought he was on private property when he disposed of the carcass. A sweat lodge is near where the eagle was found.

"Native Americans can apply for federal permits which allows them to obtain feathers and other items from bald eagles completely legally," said Neal.

An attorney with the Native American Rights Fund told CBS4 the tribe hopes to bring in religious leaders from South Dakota next month to do public education about how eagles are used by Native Americans.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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