4 bald eagles shot dead in Washington state
By MAUREEN O'HAGAN
The Seattle Times
SEATTLE - Four bald eagles were found shot dead in a Granite Falls, Wash., lake last week, and the state wildlife department offered a reward for information leading to the conviction of their killer.
Officers suspect the birds were shot off their perches in the trees.
"They dropped into the lake, and that's where they were found floating," said Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Jennifer Maurstad.
The eagles were sent to a lab to be X-rayed.
"The cause of death is pretty obvious, but if we can retrieve the bullets, at least we can match it up to something," Maurstad said.
It appears they were shot with a small-caliber rifle, she said.
It's unusual in Washington to find eagles that have been intentionally killed. But investigators say eagle parts can fetch hundreds of dollars on the black market. They're used in such things as high-end artwork, Wiccan ceremonies and Native American ceremonies.
But in this case, the carcasses were left floating in a lake.
Maurstad said the birds probably were an easy mark. Their perches aren't far from the road, the trees aren't that tall, and eagles are often spotted in the area. The agency is withholding the exact location.
Under state and federal law, it is illegal to kill bald eagles or possess any of their parts - even a single feather - without a permit. Under state law, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, plus $2,000 to $3,000 in fines.
A reward of $13,750, most of it from the Stillaguamish tribe, has been offered for information leading to a conviction.
Officers suspect the birds were shot off their perches in the trees.
"They dropped into the lake, and that's where they were found floating," said Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Jennifer Maurstad.
The eagles were sent to a lab to be X-rayed.
"The cause of death is pretty obvious, but if we can retrieve the bullets, at least we can match it up to something," Maurstad said.
It appears they were shot with a small-caliber rifle, she said. It's unusual in Washington to find eagles that have been intentionally killed. But investigators say eagle parts can fetch hundreds of dollars on the black market. They're used in such things as high-end artwork, Wiccan ceremonies and Native American ceremonies.
But in this case, the carcasses were left floating in a lake.
Maurstad said the birds probably were an easy mark. Their perches aren't far from the road, the trees aren't that tall, and eagles are often spotted in the area. The agency is withholding the exact location.
Under state and federal law, it is illegal to kill bald eagles or possess any of their parts - even a single feather - without a permit. Under state law, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, plus $2,000 to $3,000 in fines.
A reward of $13,750, most of it from the Stillaguamish tribe, has been offered for information leading to a conviction.
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