The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States. It can be seen on the nation’s seal. The bald eagle, proudly displayed on patriotic items is seen as a symbol of strength. The beloved birds were once endangered but are now considered one of the Endangered Species Act’s major successes. However, bald and golden eagles are still protected by many federal laws and regulations. Bald eagles face many threats such as habitat loss, pesticides, and poisoning (when other animals are poisoned, their carcasses go on to poison animals who eat it).

Unfortunately, earlier this month, someone who does not respect wildlife, not even the country’s national bird, decided to shoot and kill a bald eagle. Oregon State Police found a dead eagle who had been shot in Lower Cow Creek in Douglas County in southwest Oregon. They posted the following on Facebook:

The bird was illegally shot by a firearm. The police are offering “a reward up to $2,500 for information leading to a criminal conviction of the person(s) responsible for the shooting.” On many occasions, animal cruelty or killing is not taken seriously enough by the police. To see Oregon Police take the death of this bald eagle seriously is great. Laws like the ones protecting bald eagles need to be enforced or else there would be too many situations of illegal poaching which only fuels the wildlife trade and can lead to extinction.

The police are using this opportunity to also rewards for information regarding any other illegal poaching of wildlife. The Facebook post encourages people to report wildlife and habitat law violators in order to protect animals like bighorn sheep, rocky mountain goat and moose, elk, deer, antelope, bears, cougars, wolves, and more.

Recently, we reported that the illegal bear bile trade is being fueled right in Florida by poachers. We need to protect our wildlife! Sign this petition if you want the lead ammunition and poison being used to kill bald eagles and other animals to be banned!

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