Indiana wildlife expert unsurprised by bald eagle killing

JASPER, Ind. (WISH) — A younger bald eagle was killed close to Jasper alongside a busy rural street and officers suspect it was sitting on the bottom consuming when somebody shot it.

Indiana Wildlife Federation Govt Director Daniel Boritt stated the fowl nonetheless has white spots on its feathers which means it was a really younger bald eagle round three to 4 years previous. He stated whereas that is disheartening it isn’t stunning.

“We don’t at all times know why folks really feel the necessity to shoot all types of animals apart from to kill them,” Boritt stated. “Clearly, we’re in a state with numerous searching. That’s one factor. You hunt for meals, you hunt for sport, however capturing a bald eagle on the facet of the street is simply malice.”

Boritt stated bald eagles have made an amazing comeback in Indiana however the inhabitants wants every younger fowl to proceed to develop.

“It’s actually disappointing as a result of this fowl by no means bred, it by no means put its genes into the inhabitants,” Boritt stated. “Bald eagles are not endangered, there are 350 or so nesting pairs within the state however they’re nonetheless not widespread. And it’s our nationwide image and it’s unhappy.”

The Indiana Division of Pure Assets is providing a $500 reward to anybody with details about the killing that results in an arrest.

Joe Haywood, the Indiana Conservation Officer on the case stated, “There’s actually no sense in it. You already know the entire level of defending our pure sources is in order that future generations have the possibility to get pleasure from them as we did.”

Officer Haywood stated a pair witnessed the fowl consuming roadkill round 2 pm, an hour and a half earlier than it was discovered lifeless.

“My assumption was as a result of it nonetheless had the raccoon they usually had been on the market feeding on it it was most likely shot whereas it was on the market feeding,” Haywood stated.

Officer Haywood stated it’s unlawful to discharge a firearm from a street as a result of it poses a security threat for different drivers.

It’s a federal crime to kill a bald eagle, the US nationwide fowl, beneath the Bald and Golden Eagle Safety Act and the Migratory Fowl Treaty Act. Individuals convicted of the crime might be imprisoned for as much as a 12 months and be fined as much as $100,000.

Anybody with data was requested to contact the headquarters of the Division of Pure Assets Regulation Enforcement District 7 at 812-789-9538 or 800-847-4367.