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Reward Offered In Killing Of Bald Eagle

Photo courtesy of Kadi Hendricks Tubb

A volunteer with Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary rescued this eagle in Seminole on Monday. Though no one knew it at the time, the bird had been shot. It died Tuesday.

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 28, 2009

INDIAN SHORES - Bird lovers are offering more than $4,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever killed a male bald eagle rescued in Seminole on Monday.

Barbara Walker of the Clearwater Audubon Society said the reward is now $4,150 "and growing."

A volunteer with the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, responding to residents' calls, rescued the bald eagle near 84th Avenue and 113th Street. The bird had been shot with either a pellet or a bullet while flying, Walker said, with the projectile piercing one wing before lodging in the other.

The bird died Tuesday despite attempts to save it. Walker said the eagle died of blood infection.

"It is a very sad day for a lot of people," she said today. "We can count the number of eagles and when we lose one, it is significant."

She said the reward includes: $1,000 each from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Clearwater Audubon Society; $500 from the sanctuary; $1,500 from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and $150 from private donors.

Michelle Simoneau, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit sanctuary, said it is a federal crime to kill an eagle. She said the organization has received a number of tips, including one that several teenagers in the neighborhood had been shooting birds.

Walker said volunteers are checking on the area's other known eagles to ensure they are safe.

Anyone with information or donations should call Walker at (727) 431-2856 or e-mail seabird@seabirdsanctuary.com.

Reporter Stephen Thompson contributed to this report. Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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