US Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiring In Illegal Hunting And Trafficking Of Eagles

A 48-year-old man from the United States, Travis John Branson, has admitted to conspiring to hunt and traffic bald and golden eagles, facing a potential prison sentence of up to five years.

Branson confessed to shooting thousands of protected birds over several years and selling their parts and feathers on the black market. In incriminating text messages to a buyer, he boasted about “committing felonies” and engaging in a “killing spree.”

Facing charges of conspiracy, illegal trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and violations of laws prohibiting interstate trafficking in illegally possessed wildlife, Branson also faces hefty fines totalling around $250,000 (£195,000).

Between 2015 and 2021, Branson travelled from his residence in Washington state to western Montana for the illegal hunts. Collaborating with an accomplice, Simon Paul, they allegedly killed approximately 3,600 birds on the Flathead Indian Reservation and other locations, according to investigators.

Branson’s illegal activities came to light when he was apprehended in a traffic stop on March 13, 2021. Police discovered the talons and feathers of a golden eagle in his vehicle.

The bald eagle, a symbol of the United States, was once endangered due to hunting, habitat loss, and exposure to the insecticide DDT, which affected eggshell strength. However, conservation efforts have led to a significant recovery, and the bird is no longer considered endangered.

Despite its recovery, the illegal hunting and trafficking of protected birds remain serious offenses, with Branson now awaiting sentencing scheduled for July 31 in federal court and his accomplice, Simon Paul, also wanted on similar charges.

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi