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Rescued Eagle Dies From The Gunshot

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By TOM BRENNAN

tbrennan@tampatrib.com

Published: January 29, 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.

A volunteer with the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, responding to residents' calls, rescued the bald eagle near 84th Avenue and 113th Street in Seminole on Monday.

The bird had been shot with either a pellet or bullet while flying. The projectile pierced one wing before lodging in the other, said Barbara Walker of the Clearwater Audubon Society.

The bird died Tuesday of a blood infection.

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

Walker said the reward is $4,150 "and growing."

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.

CAN YOU HELP?

Anyone with information or a donations can call Barbara Walker at (727) 431-2856 or e-mail to seabird@seabird

sanctuary.com.

Reporter Stephen Thompson contributed to this report.

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