Eliana and Jeremy Bookbinder are 20-year-old twins who used to work a Camp Marriott, a summer Boy Scout camp near Lexington, Va. When Eliana found out about an injured juvenile bald eagle near a hiking trail, she set off to locate it. After she'd done so, she says her boss, Matt Anderson, ordered her not to call a wildlife rehabilitation center or take the bird to a wildlife veterinarian.
Why? Apparently he thought helping the bird would "violate federal law," damage the organization's reputation and subject it to a fine. None of this turned out to be the case. Angry, Eliana decided she was going to save the eagle anyway. She coordinated with the Wildlife Center of Virginia, which told her to bring it in if she could safely do so.
Eliana and Jeremy captured the eagle and drove it 45 miles to the center. Unfortunately, it couldn't be saved and had to be put down. The next day, both Bookbinders were fired by Mr. Anderson.
Please sign this petition to ask Mr. Anderson, Camp Director, and Mr. Phil Barbash, Director of the Goshen Scout Reservation, to issue an apology to Eliana and Jeremy Bookbinder. The petition also asks that the camp offer Eliana and Jeremy their jobs back and update Camp Marriott's policy respecting injured wildlife. As Eliana herself suggested, whenever it can safely be done, Camp Marriott's policy ought to be the rescue and transport of injured wildlife to a wildlife rehabilitation center as soon as possible.
Dear Mr. Anderson and Mr. Barbash:
Those who have signed this petition, like many other members of the public, were distressed and saddened to learn that you reportedly fired Eliana and Jeremy Bookbinder from their jobs with Camp Marriott because they defied your order not to rescue an injured bald eagle.
It is difficult to understand why you would do such a thing. The bald eagle is our national symbol, and yet you apparently preferred to allow an injured one to die slowly and painfully rather than agree that the Bookbinders should attempt to get it to a wildlife veterinarian or rescue center without delay.
The Bookbinders acted with kindness and generosity. They called a wildlife center for guidance, ensuring they would be acting within the applicable laws. They did what they believed was right, even at great personal cost. These are traits we hope to instill into every young person who becomes a Boy or Girl Scout. Leaving an animal to die when you can do something to help it is the antithesis of such values.
What did your decision teach the young campers at your facility? It seems that they may ultimately learn more about what it takes to be a brave and thoughtful person from the actions of the Bookbinders than from anyone else there. After all, Eliana and Jeremy did what was right, even knowing they might lose their jobs over it.
You could still make this right. It would be appropriate to issue an apology to the Bookbinders and offer them their jobs back. Additionally, we urge Camp Marriott to adopt Eliana's suggested policy -- when it is safe to do so, make it a rule to always rescue injured wildlife and transport such animals to a wildlife veterinarian or rehabilitation center as soon as possible.
Leaving injured creatures to die when you can help them is not honorable. This is not what our young people should be learning.
We thank you for giving this matter the attention it deserves.
