Four Bald Eagles Found Shot In Washington, Reward Offered
Officials and a Native American tribe in Washington state are offering $13,750 for information leading to the conviction of whoever killed four bald eagles near a lake last week, according to local media.
Authorities tell The Seattle Times they suspect the bald eagles were shot from the trees and dropped into a Snohomish County lake, where their bodies were found floating. The incident occurred east of Granite Falls, the Herald newspaper of Everett reported.
"I've never seen anything like this in 11 years...it's egregious," Sgt. Jennifer Maurstad of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, told NBC station KING of Seattle.
Marustad told The Seattle Times it appears the birds were shot with a small-caliber rifle.
Investigators say the black market for eagle parts can be lucrative, potentially fetching hundreds of dollars, the newspaper reported. Parts could be used in things like high-end artwork or cultural ceremonies, according to The Seattle Times.
"I don't think he (the killer) had any intention of profiting from them," Maurstad told The Seattle Times. "I think it was just a spur-of-the-moment opportunity."
Without a permit, killing a bald eagle -- America's national bird -- is a serious offense.
In the United States, the bald eagle and the golden eagle are protected under multiple federal laws, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Per the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, felony convictions can lead to a maximum fine of $250,000 or two years in prison. Civil penalties are also subject to thousands in fines and imprisonment. Bald eagles are also protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Lacey Act. The bald eagle was removed from the Endangered Species federal list in 2007.
The act is also a misdemeanor under Washington state law, according to The Seattle Times.
The Stillaguamish Tribe, a Native American group based in Arlington, Wash., has pledged $10,000 toward the reward fund.
"The Tribe is shocked and offended at the wanton wastage of wildlife and supports the efforts of state authorities to investigate and prosecute this case," the tribe said in a statement Friday.
Source
VIDEO Shooting of 4 bald eagles in Snohomish County sparks outrage
Tragic loss of beautiful wildlife :-(
Shoot the SOB!
THE FEDS NEED TO MAKE THIS ARREST!
This kind of vicious attack on eagles needs to be treated as a first class felony and get more than 2 years. You should lose everything. I love the eagles in our area and revel in each encounter with them. this is a tragedy and must be stopped.
It is sad that someone has nothing better to do than shoot an innocent animal. What kind of high can you get by doing something so barbaric. I just don't understand people.
What the fuck! That is some stupid shit. Killing 4 eagles and not keeping them? Killing 4 eagles "in the spur of the moment"!?!...... that is not anything good. And with a small caiber gun, but in the trees?!?
it is sad to say that from the little evidence posted, my opinion is that it was done by a minor. however, i still believe that even if it is a youth (perhaps with a new x-mas gift of their first rifle), they should be punished the same as prescribed and the parents can pay the fine as punishment for not first teaching respect necessary for having weapons.
my favorite birds...Let God be their Judge....what goes around comes around
I was outraged when I saw this! The Bald eagle is endangered as it is, so this has to be some kind of "smack in the face" from someone hating our country. All I can ask is Why? Take your problems out on the practices of this country and NOT the beautiful creatures within; they, are innocent and have more intelligence than we every could!
Whoever did this is a low life scumbag of the earth. I hope you get caught and suffer in prison the rest of ur sorry life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THIS PEOPLE, THIS IS DIRECT RETALIATION FOR IDLE NO MORE! LOOK AT THE TIMING. EVERYONE KNOWS HOW NATIVE PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE EAGLE.
I for one is sack and saddened when I read about this Deplorable Killing of the Bald Eagle or any Eagle for that matter.
I think it was done on purpose by an anti gun group..because of all the hoopla going on about gun controll...It is a sick thing to do. these people are sick in the head.
Medicinepony1
This act is of a demond who ever did this act will be coming to justice. No place to hide for an act of this nature. idlenomore is a peacefull coming together of nations for the good of the mother earth.Peace out
I WILL TELL U ALL THIS THAT THE PERSON WHO DID THIS SHOULD BE SHOT KILLED AND PILLAGED. NOT TO MENTION THIS PERSON IS CURSED ALREADY BECUZ OF THE 3 FOLD LAW SO WHOM EVER DID THIS IS IN DEEP SHIT ON ERATH AND AFTER.
This just makes you sick. To kill such a beautiful majestic bird, and not just one but 4! I hope they find who did this and they get one hell of a big fine, and jail time, no matter who it is. How dare you do something like this to "Our" we the people of the United States eagles. To see an Eagle gives me a proud feeling, and the only shooting that should be done is with a camera. You dumb ass who did this, I pray they find you!
Bright Americans
OMG ! OMG ! OMG ! What kinda of person can do such a thing , Theres no reason for it, All I can say is that is they find this person, or persons that they should tie them up and put them in a Cage with a few of these birds and let the bird have at them !
I could say harsher things, but iam just at a lose for words right now, :-(. What The Hell !
a-ho...its sad to hear about stories like this one...it saddens my heart...my prayers go out to the family of the perpetrator...throughout my life eagles have been the keepers and carriers of our prayers...he is my big brother....may we all learn from this life lession
It would not surprise me if the Obama Administration was behind the killings. They are hell bent to destroy America !
well i think they should be caught and locked up for life its a shame someone would do a thing like this.if its a kid than their parents should be punish for it for not teaching their child gun safety.
yes i agree more than two years beeing locked up i think 2 years for each adult and more for the bald eagle that has not yet turned into an adult and found his or her mate for life. I really like bald eagles and red tail Hawks i can sit there for hours just watching them they are just so Beautiful to watch
Just shows some people have no respect for nothing just remember when ur time comes it's the Creator u have to answer to,MOFO.
perhaps if surveillance cameras are setup in the area without any public knowledge they will be able to catch red-handed the idiot(s) responsible for such a senseless, cowardly act. It is one thing to kill an animal for food (e.g. deer, elk) but unforgivable to kill a protected species for no reason. Hopefully with such a big reward, someone will speak up for these majestic eagles.
): it's very sad.
This is so sad. I hope this person or persons are found and prosecuted to the fullest account. These birds and any wild animal are Innocent and Beautiful and should be left alone. Soar On With Our Creator in Paradise, Beautiful Birds ♥
Some comments here are really off the wall. Blame obama, the idle no more movement..what...."really" doesn't even make sense. Always seem to need someone to blame, look in the mirror, in your driveway, at peoples greed. Humans are the worst of animals. What's wrong with compassion & respect..then maybe the world will have a chance. The flora & fauna innocent bystanders in what humans think is their world, try sharing. Those poor eagles not brothering anyone, not raising havoc on earth were killed by those that do.
you got to be kidding me there is a permit to be able to kill bald eagles. by the way the 4th one from left to right look like a golden eagle not a bald eagle not sure though.
well if u had piad attention it was mentioned that they were 3 bald eagles & 1 golden eagle...but who in there right mind would kill an inocent bird or any inocent animal for that mater...hope the person or persons involved are caught & punished...
Is anyone else wondering about this part?: Without a permit, killing a bald eagle -- America's national bird -- is a serious offense. You can get a permit to kill bald eagles?! wow
Prove it was an American.
VERY SAD..SIGN OF THE TIMES..
Yet again human beings destory all that is great and wonderful
The Eagle and the Buffalo may not be back yet.
But despite all efforts, they are not extinct yet.
Neither are the Natives.
Idle no more!
Whats really sad is how when a person dies (especialy from a crime) they get less attention than these 4 birds. Where's the reward in that? This kinda news, is a play on all you victims of (your own) emotion(s) out there. Have a nice day!
Wow, how many are so fired up about the killing of 4 eagles but not a word about the millions of abortions performed every year nor a thing about all the murders committed in major cities. Then there's all these "natives" who spout off acting like it's a personal affront. Hey people! It's our National Bird! Not your personal symbol. And surveillance cameras? Yeah, right. Let's put cameras everywhere there are eagles. Are you gonna foot the bill?
Wake up people.
While the death of 4 eagles is extremely sad some of the comments are worse. Killing a human in retaliation? By Federal law the only people who can legally kill an eagle are native Americans for religious reasons. The 4 eagles killed here will more than likely be donated to Natives therein making it unnecessary for other eagles to be killed. Most eagles killed are by wind turbines for "Green energy". Where is the outcry on that?
To take a life can be a necessary thing we must eat ,take shelter and survive sometimes a beatiful spirit must be released from its mortal coil for a greater good ,but for some small minded self serving monster to kill for the sake of killing they have marked their spirit here and in the next worl they will pay but this is likely just a beginning for this monster .
He is a juvenile Bald Eagle not a Golden. It takes up to 5 years to have the completely white head & tail feathers.
this is terrible, i have heard that we here in syracuse n.y. have seen a few eagles around the lake area. i have never seen one in the nature my son and would consider this a blessing. i can't understand how someone would do this act. jerry martin
Is not all life scared anonymous? Eagles too have families, mate for life & mourn. To report all people murders in the US you would need a dedicated station to keep up to all to them.
I live in Western Washington, and this makes me sick!
check the sultan area
so sad... they are amazing and beautiful birds and for someone to do this is just wrong and uncalled for. i hope they are caught and given the highest punishment they can receive..
In my opinion, when they catch whoever has done this, they should be fined to to fullest extent possible, personal property should be taken to help pay the fine, and serve the longest prison term possible -- without possibility of parole, AND while in prison, they should be forced to do work with eagles, and other wildlife.
This just makes me ill. How sad for the souls who could even fathom doing something like this. May they be found and justice served.
Cam there is a great idea. Catch the perpetrator if he dares to venture back to crime scene. Cams are used to monitor and do research on raptors put one to use here. Then lock the murderder up. If it is a minor make him/her do community service for a native American tribal member until he/she is 21.Let an elder teach him/her a few things.
I am an avid Eagle lover!!!! I collect all kinds of Eagle art etc. I am outraged that ANYONE could do something like this. The punishment WILL not fit the crime in this case and that is truely a sad thing. To whom ever did this how do you sleep at night? were you not hugged enough by your parents as a child or is it another lame excuse as to why you could/ would dispence such crulety? May your soul rot in hell for eternity for the crimes you have commited toward nature and humanity!!!!!!
This is a crime against God and Nature. Well, I truly believe that what goes around comes around. I would just like this ignorant ass come around me and my 30/30.
This is so totally disgusting.The Eagle is so majestic.I live in Tasmania and i have an eagle that visits me reguraly.And he/she just turned up out of the blue.How can they do this 2 bird that is so spiritual.This is so sad
they should be tried for treason.
This is sad the way we look and thank about life it is already to short to live it now something like this at one time we only killed what we eat now look at use what a world God bless you all.