The bald eagle "Cumberland", which was shot by a poacher earlier this year in Cumberland County, TN. The bird is recovering from numerous wounds at the American Eagle Foundation's United States Eagle Center at Dollywood.
The bald eagle "Cumberland", which was shot by a poacher earlier this year in Cumberland County, TN. The bird is recovering from numerous wounds at the American Eagle Foundation's United States Eagle Center at Dollywood.
This touching story reminds me of an incident in a California court room when a man was facing the judge on charges of having shot and eaten an American Bald Eagle.
The judge said “my God man, how could you do such a thing? Not only is the American Bald Eagle an endangered species, it is the symbol of our Country! Have you no heart?”
The man said “Judge, you are absolutely right. It was a terrible thing to do, but my family and I have been homeless and living in our station wagon for over 6 months, we’ve been collecting bottles just to try and keep gas in the tank, and we were out of food, and I saw that eagle in a tree not far from the I-5 rest area, and I got out my .22 rifle and shot it to feed my children who hadn’t eaten for three days, so I guess I plead guilty Your Honor.”
The Judge was moved, and said “Good Lord, I had no idea, and in view of your extenuating circumstances I am going to adjudicate you not guilty as you were trying to provide for your suffering family, but I caution you: don’t let me see you in here again for something like this.”
The man thanked the judge profusely as he headed for the exit, and the Judge said “just a minute, out of curiosity, what does an American Bald Eagle taste like anyway?”
The man said “Well Your Honor, it’s hard to describe, I’d say kind of like a cross between a spotted owl and a California Condor...”