The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is offering a reward for information about a bald eagle that was illegally shot in the Addison County town of Bridport last month.
The federal agency is offering up to $5,000 “to eligible individuals for information that significantly furthers the investigation,” according to a joint press release with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department issued Thursday.
The adult bald eagle was found dead near East Street in Bridport on Oct. 15 after Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department game wardens received reports about the dead bird.
Officials confirmed the cause of death after a radiography analysis of the eagle’s body found metal pellets and wounds consistent with shotgun fire, according to the release. Data from a research band shows the bald eagle was first observed in Vermont in August 2006.
Vermont is home to at least 45 pairs of bald eagles, according to Audubon Vermont.
Although bald eagles were delisted from the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2007 and Vermont’s state endangered species statutes in 2022, they are still protected by federal law. The fines for killing one can reach a maximum of $15,000 under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and $100,000 under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, according to the release.
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People with information regarding the bald eagle shooting in Bridport should contact Sgt. David Taddei, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Game Warden Detective, at 802-498-7078.
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