Conservation police officers from the Illinois DNR discovered the eagles in mid-February near Kaiser Creek, north of New Canton in Pike County. Five of the eagles had died, and the remaining three were taken to a wildlife rehabilitator for treatment. The three injured birds recovered and have been released.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Special Agent Timothy Santel reports the dead eagles were sent to the Services National Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Oregon, for analysis. Preliminary results indicate the birds died of poison, but analysts have yet to determine the toxin or the source. Studies will continue on the birds.
Santel indicates the Service and the Illinois DNR are pursuing several leads, but he encourages anyone with information about the poisoned eagles to contact him or the DNR.
Each year, we receive reports of eagles injured or killed by shooting or poisoning, Santel said. But I have never seen this many birds affected at one time. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to determining what happened to these eagles, and if it was a criminal act, prosecuting those responsible.
Santel said the reward is offered under provisions of the Bald Eagle Protection Act, which prohibits "taking," or killing, as well as possession and of and commerce in bald eagles. The act authorizes up to $2,500 for information about eagle shooting incidents. Santel added that additional reward monies are also available.
Bald eagles are classified as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, which prohibits killing, harming, or harassing wildlife listed as threatened or endangered. Bald eagles are also protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a Federal law aimed at conserving waterfowl, songbirds, raptors such as eagles and hawks, and other bird species.
Violations of the Endangered Species Act carry penalties of up to $100,000 and 1 year in prison. Under the Bald Eagle Protection Act, first offenses may result in a $100,000 fine and 1 year in prison; second offenses are treated as felonies. Persons convicted of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act face up to $5,000 in fines and 6 months in prison.
Santel encourages anyone with information on the poisoned eagles to contact him at 217-793-9554 or the Target Illinois Poacher hotline at 1-800-252-0163. Callers may remain anonymous.
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 Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 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
