Birders,
Distressing news today in the News Leader (Duncan's local paper):-

"At least 3 bald eagles have been killed in two recent incidents involving
Cowichan Tribes' members, police and conservation officers say.

No suspects have been arrested following the witnessed shooting of an eagle on
reserve land at Cowichan Bay's historical Butter Church Feb10.
In a seperate incident, Duncan Conservation officer Ken Broadland said he had
learned two eagles were shot by a Cowichan Band member.

Cowichan Tribes officials were unavailable for comment by press time Tuesday.

The alleged Butter Church shooting was observed by Victoria's James Touhy who
called North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP and Duncan Conservation offices.

Touhy heard a shot while visiting the church and saw a mature eagle fall from
a tree.
One of several native teenagers then pumped a few more rounds into the bird,
he said.
Asked if the eagles would be used for ceremonial purposes, the teens seemed
bewidered and stuffed the dead eagle into a garbage bag, he said.

RCMP Const.Tracey Rook said Tuesday her detachment closed the Butter Church
case Feb.18 after extensive investigation by RCMP and native officers.

"We were unable to come up with enough evidence to substantial(sic) charges
going ahead in court.We believe this incident happened, but we've been unable
to identify the people involved"

Rook confirmed reports Touhy identified reserve homes entered by the bird
killers, but the native constable found no evidence of the eagle's remains.

"To us this isn't a legal grey area," Rook said, "but you need evidence to lay
charges"

Broadland also lacked evidence in the alleged shooting of two other eagles.

He was unwilling to find clues by searching a local longhouse where the
carcasses are believed to have been taken.

"The suspect didn't admit to killing the eagles. My investigation concluded
with no charges" Broadland said. "

The article goes on to add that "ten eagle carcasses were also found near the
Cowichan River in 1995. That case remains unsolved. "

(report by Peter Rusland)

Sad news indeed. One wonders how many eagles are lost to this sort of thing?