The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering up to $5,000 for information on the person who illegally shot a bald eagle in or near Bridport in October.
Game wardens with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department responded to reports of a dead adult bald eagle near East Street in Bridport on Oct. 15. An analysis showed the eagle had been killed with a shotgun. The eagle had a research band on its leg that showed it was first seen in Vermont in August 2006.
The case is being investigated jointly by special agents with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Vermont game wardens. Anyone with information should contact Game Warden Detective Sgt. David Taddei with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department at 802-498-7078. Wildlife crimes can also be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through their online tip form or at 1-844-397-8477.
Why you should report information on the shooting of the bald eagle
Vermont Game Warden Col. Justin Stedman said in a statement that Vermont Fish and Wildlife has a “strong history” of working with federal game wardens to protect wildlife in the state.
“Vermonters also have an impressive record of stepping up with information about poaching cases and wildlife violations when law enforcement asks for help,” he said. “If you know something that could help us hold the person who shot this protected, native bird accountable, we hope you will come forward.”
Why is there a reward for information about the death of the bald eagle
Although bald eagles have recovered under both the U.S. Endangered Species Act and Vermont’s state endangered species statutes, they are still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
People who kill bald eagles can fined up to $100,000.
Contact Dan D’Ambrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Bald eagle killed in Bridport VT: Wildlife officials offer $5K reward
