Contacts
USFWS Special Agent Ed Spoon,
Madison, Wis., 608-221-1206 ext. 15
Wisconsin DNR Warden David
Youngquist,
Spring Green, Wis., 608-588-3927
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Special Agents and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Conservation Wardens are investigating the death of an immature
female bald eagle in Mifflin Township, Iowa County, approximately
three miles south of Montfort, Wis. The eagle was found dead on
January 10, 2000. This is the second known poisoning incident
resulting in the death of a bald eagle, in three years.
The eagle was examined by the National Wildlife
Health Center, Madison, Wis., and the National Fish and Wildlife
Forensics Laboratory, Ashland, Ore. Scientists determined that
the eagle died after feeding on the carcass of a house cat.
Forensic analysis of the cat remains showed the cat had been
euthanized by injection with a drug composed of pentobarbitol and
Dilantin. This combination of drugs is available only to
veterinarians, and is commonly used to euthanize dogs and cats.
Investigators theorize that the house cat was
euthanized by a veterinarian, then was taken home for disposal by
the pet’s owner. The pet owner did not properly dispose of
the cat carcass, resulting in the eagle death. “We
don’t think anyone intentionally poisoned the eagle”,
said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent, Ed Spoon,
“but, because the dead cat was not disposed of properly, an
eagle died. The euthanasia drug remains potent for a long time
after the animal is injected, therefore, it is extremely
important that such carcasses be disposed of in accordance with
state law.” Wisconsin state law requires that animal
carcasses be disposed of in such a manner that they can not be
reached by dogs or wild animals. Recommended disposal techniques
include incineration or burial under several feet of soil so that
no animals can uncover the remains. Veterinarians are aware of
the lethality and persistence of these drugs, and take special
precautions to protect other animals from exposure.
A similar incident happened in 1997 when a dog,
euthanized by the same combination of drugs, was disposed of at a
Wisconsin landfill. One bald eagle died and two others were
sickened after feeding on the dog remains at the landfill.
Failure to follow these rules could result in
criminal prosecution. Negligence resulting in the death of a bald
eagle can be prosecuted under several federal laws, including the
Eagle Protection Act and Endangered Species Act.
Anyone with information about this case should
call U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Ed Spoon at
(608) 221-1206 ext. 15, or Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources Conservation Warden David Youngquist at 608/588-3927.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the Wisconsin DNR
toll-free hotline at 1-800-847-0367.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the
principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting
and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for
the continuing benefit of the American people. The Services
manages the 93 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System of
more than 520 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small
wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66
national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78
ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal
wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages
migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant
fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as
wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation
efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that
distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on
fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife
agencies.
For further information about the programs and
activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great
Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
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