Joint resolution to provide protection for the golden eagle
PL 87-884 (H.J.Res.489), enacted 10/24/1962

1246 
PUBLIC LAW 87-884-OCT. 24, 1962 
[76 STAT. 
October 24, 1962 
[H. J. Res. 489] 
Public Law 87-8.84 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
To provide protection for the golden eagle. 
Golden eagle, 
protection. 
Regulations, au-
thorization. 
Whereas the popuhition of the golden eagle has declined at such an 
alarming rate that it is now threatened with extinction; and 
Whereas the golden eagle should be preserved because of its value to 
agriculture in the control of rodents; and 
Whereas protection of the golden eagle will afford greater protection 
for the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States of 
America, because the bald eagle is often killed by persons mistaking 
it for the golden eagle: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatwes 
of the United 
States of America in dongress assembled., That the first two sections 
of the Act of June 8, 1940 (54 Stat. 250, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 668, 
068a), are hereby amended to read as follows: "Whoever, within the 
United States or any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, w^ithout 
being permitted to do so as hereinafter provided, shall take, possess, 
sell, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, 
export or import, at any time or in any manner, any bald eagle com-
monly known as the American eagle, or any golden eagle, alive or 
dead, or any part, nest, or egg thereof of the foregoing eagles, shall 
be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months, 
ov both : Provided,, That nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit 
possession or transportation of any bald eagle, alive or dead, or any 
part, nest, or egg thereof, lawfully taken prior to June 8, 1940, and 
that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit possession or trans-
portation of any golden eagle, alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg 
thereof, lawfully taken prior to the addition to this Act of the 
provisions relating to preservation of the golden eagle. 
"SEC. 2. Whenever, after 
investigation, the Secretary of 
the 
Interior shall determine that it is compatible w^ith the preservation 
of the bald eagle or the golden eagle to permit the taking, possession, 
and transportation of specimens thereof for the scientific or exhibition 
purposes of public museums, scientific societies, and zoological parks, 
or for the religious purposes of Indian tribes, or that it is necessary to 
j)ermit the taking of such eagles for the protection of wildlife or of 
agricultural or other interests in any particular locality, he may 
authorize the taking of such eagles pursuant to regulations which 
he is hereby authorized to prescribe.: Provided^ That on request of the 
Governor of any State, the Secretary of the Interior shall authorize 
the taking of golden eagles for the purpose of seasonally protecting 
domesticated flocks and herds in such State, in accordance with regu-
lations established under the provisions of this section, in such part 
or parts of such State and for such periods as the Secretary deter-
mines to be necessary to protect such interests: Provided further,, That 
bald eagles may not be taken for any purpose unless, prior to such 
taking, a permit to do so is procured from the Secretary of the 
Interior." 
Approved October 24, 1962.