Indiana Conservation and Federal Fish and Wildlife Officers are investigating the death of a bald eagle found in Dubois County.
Thursday, Officers responded to north western Dubois County near the Pike County line to a complaint of a possible injured eagle.
Officers found the eagle in flooded timber and was able to transport it to a Federal Wildlife Rehabilitator. Efforts to rehab the eagle stalled as it was not able to keep food down.
X-rays showed bullet fragments in the body of the eagle and it was transported to the Indiana Raptor Center in Nashville, Indiana. While in route to the raptor center the eagle died.
The eagle has been sent to a Federal Wildlife Forensics Center for evidence collection.
Examination of the eagle showed it to have a brood patch common for eagles that are nesting. It is typical for one eagle to sit on the nest while the other eagle hunts for food. Losing a parent can be detrimental to survival of the young.
It is unknown where the nest was or how far the eagle flew before getting too weak to fly
Officers are asking for the public’s to try and determine if there is a nest in the area with only parent. You can contact our local office at (812) 789-9538 or call our TIP number at 1-800-TIP-IDNR.
There is a reward of up to $2500 dollars for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting.
Penalties for shooting an eagle can be up to 60 days in jail and a fine of $500 -$1000 depending if the case is sent to State or Federal court.