TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Manatee Law Firm Offers Reward In Eagle's Death

ADVERTISEMENT

By ANTHONY CORMIER of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Published: January 17, 2008

MANATEE COUNTY - When he heard about an eagle that was shot and killed, Larry Byrd of Sarasota was, like many others, absolutely livid.

The female American bald eagle was nesting in a pine tree in east Manatee County when she was killed Sunday. Also lost was any hope for the two eggs in her nest.

The case has led to a federal investigation and a groundswell of anger among bird lovers. For Byrd, the patriarch of a family of Sarasota lawyers, there was "utter outrage" that someone could harm such a majestic animal.

From that anger came a potential boost to investigators in the form of a $1,000 bounty for information leading to the bird's killer. Byrd's firm pledged the money.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is investigating the case, also has offered a $1,000 reward.

"It's my opinion that only a cowardly, sick person would do something like this," Byrd said Wednesday. "As far as I'm concerned, this person is lower than low. They're down there with child molesters -- it's just pathetic."

Federal investigators released scant information about the case Wednesday but did say the eagle carcass was sent to a lab for testing.

Investigators have not officially said the eagle was shot, but a Nokomis veterinarian who examined it has told Audubon of Florida volunteers that it likely was struck by a rifle bullet.

"We do have the bird, and it will be examined at a lab," said Tom MacKenzie, a Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman from Washington.

The agency assigned the case to a special agent in Groveland, about 40 miles east of Orlando. The agent, Janet Rider, could not immediately be reached.

It is a federal crime to disturb or injure eagles, falcons and hawks.

The American bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list last summer, but their deaths still are investigated, MacKenzie said.

"We treat these cases very seriously," he said. "We really need people to step forward if they have any information that can help us."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT