On October 21st, an individual found the sub-adult eagle on the Richardson Highway, north of Paxson, and took her to a bird rehabilitation center in Fairbanks.
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent is accompanying the juvenile eagle on her trip to Anchorage today, so she can be rehabilitated at the Arctic Animal Hospital. "The eagles injuries do not appear to be life threatening," John Gavitt, Chief of Law Enforcement in Alaska said. "In fact, veterinarians expect a full recovery, with a target release date for next spring."
Eagles are protected under the Bald Eagle Protection Act, which makes it illegal to take or possess them in any way. Although they are not endangered in Alaska, they are considered a protected species. Penalties for violating the laws protecting eagles can involve prison sentences and penalties of up to $100,000.
According to Agent Gavitt, the last time a person was convicted of violating the Bald Eagle Protection Act as a result of investigations out of the Fairbanks law enforcement office, was in 1989 when a man killed a bald eagle and fed it to his dogs. Agents say that in southeast Alaska, one or more eagles have been shot every year for the past few years.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of one half of any fine, not to exceed $2,500, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person of persons involved in the shooting of this bald eagle. Please contact the law enforcement division of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (907) 456-0255.
FWS
