ATOKA CO., Okla — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is investigating the death of bald eagle found adjacent to a rural county road, east of Lane, Okla. in Atoka County.
The eagle was discovered by a local rancher who notified the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The eagle carcass exhibited indications it was mutilated as the eagles’ head, talons and tail feathers were missing. Additional evidence was recovered at the scene. The Service’s Wildlife Forensics Laboratory is conducting a necropsy to verify the cause of death.
Callers with information may remain anonymous. The Service is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death.
Bald eagles were removed from Endangered Species Protection in June 2007 after being declared recovered, due in part to habitat protection and protection from human-caused disturbance, but they remain protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Killing an eagle is a violation of these acts. The maximum penalty for a criminal violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act is one year in jail and $100,000 per individual or $200,000 per organization for the first offense. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act carries maximum penalties ranging from six months to one year in jail and fines of up to $250,000 per individual, depending on whether an individual is convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony.
