Department of Conservation Seeking Person Who Shot Bald Eagle

The Missouri Department of Conservation is using social media to ask for the public’s help in finding out who shot a bald eagle over the weekend. The eagle died of its injuries Sunday, and a message and photo was posted on Facebook yesterday (Monday). Conservation agent Alan Lamb responded to a call Sunday evening near Patterson concerning an injured bald eagle, and Lamb said X-rays found bullet fragments in the bird, confirming the shooting. Bald eagles are protected by federal law under the Eagle Protection Act, and killing one can lead to a 250-thousand dollar fine and two years in prison. He says the bird was young and did not have the signature white head of most bald eagles. It takes about five years to get its mostly white feathers.Lamb said a reward of 50 to one-thousand dollars is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot the eagle.