Injured eagle shows risks of trapping, Missoula raptor researcher says

A maimed golden eagle highlights what could be a growing problem with improperly placed animal traps. On Saturday, members of the Raptor View Research Institute captured an adult golden eagle in the Bitterroot Valley whose left leg was so badly mutilated it will probably need amputation, if the bird survives. “Clearly its leg had been caught in a leg-hold trap and then it was released by the trapper,” said Raptor View director Rob Domenech. “This isn’t the first time. We captured one last year that had three of its four toes sheared off. And two of our birds with satellite transmitters were trapped – one in Ringling and one in British Columbia.” The eagle was caught as part of a research project placing satellite tracking devices on migratory birds of prey. The Missoula-based institute has placed 38 such transmitters, and tracked Montana eagles migrating as far as the Brooks Range in Alaska. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 2 wildlife manager Mike Thompson said trappers are required to set traps at least 30 feet away from exposed bait. They may place their sets closer to bait that’s covered from birds’ view by branches or a cubby hole...more