LAWRENCE COUNTY , Ala. (WDNews) — The reward for information leading to a conviction in the illegal killing of a bald eagle in Lawrence County has been raised to $15,000.
The Center for Biological Diversity has added $12,500 to the existing $2,500 reward offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The mature bald eagle, a federally protected species, was found on Dec. 8 near Mount Hope with multiple shotgun pellets in its body, according to authorities.
“This majestic bird didn’t deserve such a tragic death, and the person responsible must be held accountable,” said Will Harlan, senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “This act of cruelty against our nation’s symbol cannot go unpunished. We urge anyone with information to come forward.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are leading the investigation. Bald eagles are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, with violations carrying penalties of up to $250,000 in fines and two years in federal prison.
Alabama is home to a growing bald eagle population, with over 100 nests recorded in recent state surveys, particularly near rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Brad Rabalais at (601) 331-0292 or the Alabama Game Watch Hotline at (800) 272-4263.
