Bald eagle found shot to death in Oregon; police offer $2500 reward for information on shooter
Authorities have announced a reward for anyone with any information regarding a bald eagle who was shot to death in Oregon. According to an Oregon police, the eagle was found dead in Lower Cow Creek after the Oregon fish and wildlife officials and the Oregon State Police responded Thursday, November 7 at 9 am. A $2,500 reward for information about the shooter that would lead to arrest and conviction has been announced. This is in collaboration between the Turn In Poachers (TIP) reward program, the Oregon Hunters Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Umpqua Wildlife determined after a probe that the eagle had been killed by a shot from a firearm. The bird was found approximately one or two days after it being dead. "Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife troopers are seeking #publicassistance regarding a bald eagle being illegally shot with a firearm on Lower Cow Creek Road near West Fork Cow Creek Road.
Although the bald eagle is no longer an endangered species and was removed from the list in 2007, it is still protected by law. An indigenous North American bird, it is also the national bird of the United States. It was chosen as the national emblem in 1782.
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects these birds currently in the state. "The killing or possession of a bald eagle or its parts is a violation of both Acts, punishable by imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to $100,000," the police department warned. The bird was found face down in the water according to the image posted by the police department on Facebook.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact OSP Senior Trooper Kyle Bachmeier or Senior Trooper Curtis Weaver through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (mobile).