At least 3 bald eagles found shot; state offers reward

Courtesy WDFW Facebook



GRANITE FALLS, Wash. -- Four dead eagles discovered floating in a lake Jan. 9 outside Granite Falls, Wash., appeared to be the victims of a poacher, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said.

The four eagles were retrieved by WDFW agents on Jan. 10. Initial observations show at least three of the birds were killed by a small-caliber rifle. All of the birds appeared to have been perched on trees before they fell into the lake, the agency said.

Bald eagles are protected under state and federal laws. Killing an eagle is a Class A misdemeanor, and carries a maximum penalty of $1,000 and 90 days in jail.

WDFW, the Humane Society and other groups offered a $3,750 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for killing the eagles. Anyone with information related to the crime can call the WDFW tip line at (877) 933-9847.