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 pets owner. The pet owner did not properly dispose of the cat carcass, resulting in the eagle death. We dont 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 608/588-39 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
