$5,000 REWARD OFFERED FOR EAGLE KILLER

 

A bald eagle shot north of Binghamton is raising a controversy with the U.S. Federal government offering a $5,000 reward for information leading the arrest of the shooter. The reward is being offered by Fish and Wildlife. A complaint was received that someone had shot a duck near a field in Nanticoke, NY, but when investigators went to the site, they found it was not a duck; it was a fairly young bald eagle, who had apparently been perched in a tree alongside the field when shot on the morning of April 3.

Press releases from Fish and Wildlife note that people with information about the shooting may contact Fish and Wildlife service agent Ryan Bessey at (716) 691-3635. Bald eagles are federally protected by Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Violators could face fines of up to $100,000 and up to one year in prison.

According to the Audubon society, in the 60’s bald eagles in New York State were severely declining with the last nest of wild eagles located near Hemlock Lake. Fish and Wildlife monitored the local nest, and when the aging eagle pair had difficulty breeding, started importing young to successfully enhance the nest’s production.  Brown-headed young eagles are becoming more common, with a few white-headed (older) eagles now not uncommon to see in the Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, and Honeoye Lake area.

However, Bald eagles are federally protected by Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Violators could face fines of up to $100,000 and up to one year in prison.