The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who cut down a tree containing an active bald eagle nest in Daretown, NJ (Salem County) on or about February 9, 2016.
On February 10, 2016, it was discovered that the tree containing the bald eagle nest was cut down near Colson Road and Newkirk Station Road. Examination of the destroyed eagle nest revealed at least one viable eagle egg was crushed.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact either Special Agent Ryan Bessey with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Galloway, NJ at (609) 382-5277, 1-844-FWS- TIPS (397-8477) or call the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).
Even though bald eagles are no longer listed under the Endangered Species Act, bald eagles are still federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Maximum fines under these acts are $15,000 and $100,000 respectively with possible imprisonment up to one year.
Press Release
Reward offered for information on eagle nest destruction in Daretown, N.J.
