Moose Droppings

Investigation Continues into the Senseless Killing of a Bald Eagle

Jan 08, 2007 @ 12:20 am by Moose

US Fish & Wildlife Photo

The case of the bald eagle shot in Churchland NC continues as investigators search for clues. The eagle had been previously banded in Youngsville Ohio. Ohio is an important state in the recovery of the Bald Eagle across North America.

Investigators believe that the individual who shot the eagle off the wire may have thought it was a hawk because it had not developed the white head because it was immature. None the less killing any bird of prey is illegal and the individual responsible should be held accountable.

In some ways, investigating the killing of a bald eagle isn’t much different from investigating a homicide.
Robert Romero, the resident agent in charge for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement in Wilsonville, Ore., said that investigators collect evidence, such as shell casings, and look for witnesses who may have seen the shooting.
Investigating a case such as the one in Davidson County could be difficult, Romero said, because anyone could drive by and shoot a bird perched on a pole.

WS Journal

Soon the Bald Eagle will be delisted from the Endangered Species List which is a milestone in it’s recovery. Even though the eagle will be delisted there will still be federal laws on the books protecting eagles from senseless individuals like the one responsible for the killing of the eagle in Churchland NC. Will continue to follow this story as it develops.