Note: This article startled me, so I researched it over a couple of hours. While it sounds sleazy and like an abuse of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, this facility apparently obtained the eagle exhibition pictured in the article legally. Of course I don't know if they obtained an exhibition permit, how long they had to wait (the FWS estimates a 2-year wait for Native Americans to receive a whole bird from the National Eagle Repository), or just how this New Jersey representative assisted them in "securing an American Bald Eagle from the National Wildlife Property Repository," which is not the same entity but in the same location as the National Eagle Repository. I suppose it's possible the Property Repository had a confiscated, stuffed eagle lying around and "donated" or loaned it to the facility. The facility also seems to meet the definitions of a facility eligible to receive a whole eagle body, even though a Google search brings up lots of images of the place being used for weddings and not education. I don't think the arboretum received the eagle from the National Eagle Repository or jumped over others waiting in line for a whole eagle body. But I was certainly surprised to learn that someone other than a Native American could possess a bald eagle body! ~T40
Leonard Lance stops by for photograph with eagle display
https://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2018/09/leonard_lance_stops_by_for_photograph_with_eagle_d.html
U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7th, stopped by the Hunterdon County Division of Parks and Recreation at the Hunterdon County Arboretum to meet with the division staff and view the American Bald Eagle displayed in division headquarters. (courtesy photo)
National Wildlife Property Repository -
https://www.fws.gov/wildliferepository/Quotes: "The facility is responsible for receiving wildlife items that have been forfeited or abandoned to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." One of their objectives is to, "Loan wildlife property to USFWS offices, other Federal, State and municipal government offices and public educational and/or scientific institutions."
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT A FEDERAL EAGLE EXHIBITION PERMIT -
https://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-14.pdfQuote: "A Federal Eagle Exhibition permit will authorize you to possess bald or golden eagles (living or dead), parts, nests and eggs for educational purposes."
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Quote: "Only zoological parks, scientific societies and museums that are open to the general public and are either established, maintained, and operated as a governmental service or are privately endowed and organized but not operated for profit are eligible for an Eagle Exhibition permit (50 CFR 10.12 and 50 CFR 22.21)."
50 CFR 22.21 - Permits for scientific or exhibition purposes -
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-1996-title50-vol1/pdf/CFR-1996-title50-vol1-sec22-21.pdfQuote: "The Director may, upon receipt of an application and in accordance with the issuance criteria of this section, issue a permit authorizing taking, possession, or transportation of bald eagles or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs for the scientific or exhibition purposes of public museums, public scientific societies, or public zoological parks."
HUNTERDON COUNTY ARBORETUM -
http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/ParkAreas/Arboretum/info.htmQuote: "An arboretum is defined as a living museum comprised of trees, shrubs, and plants that are observed and studied for educational purposes."
