2/28/2007

Contacts

Jerry Monroe, 405-715-0617

Elizabeth Slown 505-248-6909

Two Bald Eagles Killed in Oklahoma: Information Sought in Both Cases

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering up to $2500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for killing two bald eagles in eastern Oklahoma. The shooting of the two eagles is believed to be unrelated.

One of the dead bald eagles is an adult whose carcass was recovered in Adair County near Westville, Oklahoma on January 27, 2007.  The bald eagle carcass was examined and according to federal officials a "clear bullet wound" was identified, indicating the bird was shot.

The second eagle was an immature bald eagle whose carcass was recovered at Sumners Ferry boat ramp on the Arkansas River, near Gore, Oklahoma on February 5, 2007.  An examination of this eagle by Service law enforcement revealed it had been shot.

Service Special Agent Jerry Monroe said the eagle carcasses are being sent to the Service's forensics laboratory for further examination.  It is possible that important evidence, such as bullet fragments, will be recovered from the carcasses.

Service investigators believe the persons responsible for killing the eagles may have been seen or that someone may have information regarding the identities of the persons committing these crimes. "We believe somebody in the areas where the bald eagles were killed has additional information that will help finalize this investigation," said Monroe.

Bald eagles are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.  They are also protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, both of which make killing a bald eagle a federal crime.

Anyone with information about this or any other bald eagle killings in Oklahoma should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement office at Edmond, Oklahoma at 405-715-0617.  Individuals providing information may either remain anonymous or be eligible for the reward.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 547 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.  Visit the Service's website at http://www.fws.gov.