Santa Barbara Eagle Theft Puts L.A. Zoo on Alert
The theft and possible killing of three eagles at the Santa Barbara Zoo has prompted a security alert at the Los Angeles Zoo’s birds of prey exhibits, officials said Monday.
The Los Angeles Zoo’s general curator, Michael Dee, said its birds include one golden eagle, a pair of black eagles from South Africa and two Steller’s eagles.
“We stepped up security in the areas where the birds of prey are,” Dee said.
Santa Barbara police returned to that city’s zoo Monday in hopes of finding more evidence in the weekend theft. Santa Barbara Zoo officials fear the eagles were killed for their feathers.
“The feathers are very, very valuable because they’re highly restricted,” said Santa Barbara Police Sgt. Mike Mitchell. “The only people who can possess them are Native Americans who have permits from the federal government.”
An 18-year-old bald eagle with just one wing and two golden eagles about 30 years old were taken.
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