Bald Eagle Found Dead In North Alabama
Law officials are searching for the person responsible for fatally shooting a bald eagle in Alabama last month.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a bald eagle was found dead on December 8 near Mt. Hope in Lawrence County. X-rays revealed that the eagle had multiple gunshot wounds in its carcass.
This is a serious crime, as bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
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The law was originally passed in 1940. It prohibits anyone from taking, hunting, possessing, capturing, killing, or disturbing a bald or golden eagle, as well as its nests or eggs.
The act was established in response to the rapid decline in the bald eagle population, which, as many know, has been the national symbol of the United States since 1782.
Years ago, the eagle numbers were dwindling due to hunting and habitat loss. Although the bald eagle was eventually removed from the endangered species list over a decade ago because of the protections in place, it remains just as illegal to harm the bird today.
What Is The Punishment If Found Guilty?
Anyone who is convicted of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act could face a hefty fine of up to $100,000, be sentenced to one year in federal prison, or both.
As the investigation continues in Alabama to find the person of interest, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking anyone with information about the bald eagle’s fatal shooting to come forward. The organization is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to the person responsible.
Those who have information about the incident are encouraged to contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Brad Rabalais at 601-331-0292 or the Alabama Game Watch Hotline at 1-800-272-4263.