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Hopis will be permitted to gather 40 nesting golden eagles, similar to the one shown here, for their religious ceremonies this year. (AP File Photo)
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is allowing the Hopi Tribe to collect 40 nesting golden eagles this year for use in religious ceremonies.
The agency has permitted the taking since 1986. The amount of birds captured has ranged from two to 38 under previous permits.
This year’s permit limits the amount of birds that can be taken from the neighboring Navajo Nation to five.
The Navajo and Hopi tribes have different cultural and religious beliefs regarding golden eagles and don’t agree on how the population of the birds should be managed.
Benjamin Tuggle is the Southwest regional director for the Fish and Wildlife Service. He said Tuesday that removing a handful of eaglets from Navajo land won’t impact the tribe’s culture and religion in a significant way.
