Wildlife officials announced Wednesday that a bald eagle shot in late June has been euthanized, despite efforts to rehabilitate it.
A bald eagle shot north of Gaston, Oregon, received treatment at the Audubon Society of Portland before being euthanized.
Courtesy of the Audubon Society of Portland
Just before the Fourth of July, Oregon State Troopers received reports of an injured bald eagle north of Gaston, Oregon.
After state troopers rescued the bird and brought it to the Audubon Society of Portland, officials determined the bird had been illegally shot.
Bald eagles are protected under both the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Anyone prosecuted for shooting a bald eagle can face thousands of dollars in fines or up to a year of jail time.
Wildlife officials euthanized after assessing the severity of the eagle's shoulder injury and its potential quality of life.
“A bald eagle, who has to fly, hunt, and defend territory, can’t survive in the wild with an injury so damaging to the wing,” said Lacy Campbell, manager at the Wildlife Care Center. “In addition, it was clear that if this bird were to stay alive, it would be in chronic pain for the rest of its life.”
The Audubon Society of Portland said due to when the bird was shot, it was likely a breeding male with a mate and a nest.
The person who shot the bald eagle has not been caught.
Anyone with information about the shooting of this bird is encouraged to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Portland Audubon and the Animal Legal Defense Funds have offered a total of $6,500 in rewards for information leading to the conviction of the poacher.