Prosecutors say a wildlife trafficking ring killed at least 118 eagles. AP Photo
A man has been linked to the illegal killing of at least 118 eagles as part of a long-running wildlife trafficking operation in the western U.S. The case involves Travis John Branson, who is set to be sentenced on September 18 for his involvement in this operation. Authorities claim that the ring, which was active on Montana’s Flathead Indian Reservation and beyond, was responsible for the deaths of thousands of birds.
Branson, a resident of Cusick, Washington, allegedly earned between $180,000 and $360,000 over a 13-year period by selling parts of bald and golden eagles on the black market. According to prosecutors, Branson frequently killed multiple eagles at once, often taking up to nine birds in a single operation. The eagles were not only killed but also dismembered for sale, with parts such as wings, tails, and feathers highly sought after for ceremonial use by Native Americans.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montana has requested that Branson be sentenced to a substantial prison term and ordered to pay restitution totalling $777,250. This amount includes $5,000 for each dead eagle and $1,750 for each of the 107 hawks allegedly killed by Branson and his co-conspirators. This figure represents a significant financial penalty and reflects the serious nature of the crimes committed.
Branson’s defense attorney, however, disputes the prosecution’s claims, arguing that the actual number of birds killed may be overstated. The defence has pointed out that the highest death toll figure of 3,600 birds came from a co-defendant, Simon Paul, who is currently evading capture in Canada. The defence also contends that restitution for the Hawks is not justified, as their killing was not included in the indictment. Instead, they are requesting a probation sentence for Branson.
The investigation into Branson’s activities revealed that some of his text messages were used to track the number of eagles and hawks killed. However, two years of these messages were lost, which prosecutors argue means the full extent of Branson's illegal activities may not be fully known.
Bald and golden eagles hold significant spiritual and cultural value for many Native American tribes. U.S. law strictly prohibits the killing, wounding, or disturbance of eagles without a permit. Illegal shootings are a major threat to golden eagles, according to recent government studies.
Members of federally recognized tribes can legally obtain eagle feathers and other bird parts through the National Eagle Repository in Colorado and other non-government repositories. However, there is often a lengthy wait time for these requests to be fulfilled.
Branson pleaded guilty in March to charges of conspiracy, wildlife trafficking, and trafficking federally protected bald and golden eagles. He faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the conspiracy charge. As part of a plea deal, federal prosecutors have agreed to seek the dismissal of additional trafficking charges.
