A 5-year-old bald eagle, its legs crushed in an illegal trap set for coyotes, is not expected to survive.
"This is my third eagle this year," said Martin Tyner, a raptor rehabilitation expert in Cedar City who is caring for the injured bird. The first two, both golden eagles, also had broken bones and crushed tissue from leg-hold traps and had to be put down.The bald eagle, the national bird, is an endangered species protected by federal laws that carry substantial penalties.
"It's pretty gruesome. Trappers need to realize they are causing a lot of damage with these illegal sets (traps). Other wildlife is suffering," Tyner said.
"This thoroughly disgusts me," said Al Robb, president of the Utah Trappers Association.
He said responsible trappers use methods that pose no danger to eagles and most other non-target species.
Eagles are hurt when trappers illegally bait their traps with exposed pieces of meat or dead rabbits. The meat is attractive to both birds of prey and coyotes. State law requires trappers to bury their bait or use scents to attract coyotes. This reduces the chance of injuring a bird.
"People who use open baits are people who really don't know much about trapping or are just too lazy to learn about the animal and its travel habits. They are just slobs," said Robb.
Tyner said the person who brought in the injured bald eagle refused to reveal exactly where the bird was found to protect the trapper.
"Trapping is not the problem," he said. "It's the bad trapper who is the problem."
Bob Walters, a non-game biologist for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, said most trappers comply with the law. But, he said, a few individuals continue to cause problems.
"It's unfortunate it happens at all, but I don't think the problem is any worse than it has been."
Jo Stoddard, a raptor rehabilitation expert in Salt Lake City, said she is seeing fewer eagles, hawks and owls with injuries from leg-hold traps.