USFWS investigates Bald Eagle shooting
Reward for Information
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, are investigating the shooting of a bald eagle in Marion County, Kansas, near the Marion Reservoir Dam.
The bald eagle was found dead on Thursday, February 4th, below the base of the dam, on the east side of the outlet. Examination of the eagle found evidence of a gunshot wound.
Bald eagles are protected by state and federal law including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The shooting of any eagle is considered a violation of those acts, and is a serious offense.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting of this eagle is asked to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement at (785) 232-5149. The Service will pay for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Anyone contributing that information to authorities can remain anonymous. Information can also be reported to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-877-426-3843.
About 50,000 pairs of bald eagles occupied the lower 48 states in pre-colonial times, but that number was reduced to 400 pairs by the 1960s. Biologists blamed a loss of habitat, shooting, trapping and the heavy use of pesticides such as DDT. After DDT was outlawed, bald eagles began making a comeback in the late 1980s and in June of 2007, it was removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened species. This majestic bird, our national symbol, continues to need our help to survive, and your assistance is appreciated.
For more information on the bald eagle, please visit www.fws.gov
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube.