“Imagine if one of us were caught killing a bald eagle...”
I’m sure there’s many examples, but back about ten years ago I remember a case in Alabama where a guy took down a tree containing an eagle’s nest while clearing some land. He spent a few years in fed prison. I think, by law, even collecting eagle feathers is protected.
I remember a case in Central California where a Taiwanese farmer killed five kangaroo rats on his property - which are endangered. He faced personal fines and jail time and became a cause celebre for private property rights - the feds eventually - and luckily for him - dropped all charges.
That’s why they say in that part of the country “shoot, shovel and shut up.”
(American) Indians can do it though I think, religious reasons...