15K Reward Offered For Dead Bird Found In Alabama

One of the animals that symbolizes freedom and strength to plenty of Americans is the bald eagle.

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Even though the bald eagle has been a significant symbol in America for decades, featured on the Great Seal, uniforms and government buildings, it was never the official bird of the United States.

Until now......

According to the BBC, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law on Christmas Eve 2024 making the bald eagle the official national bird of the United States.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service says the the bald eagle is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Both laws prohibit killing, selling, or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs. Seems like someone in Alabama will soon be convicted for violating those laws.

According to a press release from the Center for Biological Diversity, someone in northern Alabama shot and killed a bald eagle.

"This majestic bird didn’t deserve a heartbreaking death, and whoever killed them must be brought to justice,” said Will Harlan, a senior scientist at the Center. “This cowardly act against America’s national bird can’t go unpunished. I hope someone steps forward with information," the press release read.

The press release gave details of the killing saying that bald eagle was found with several shotgun pellets lodged in the carcass.

Take a look at the full press release below.

The Center for Biological Diversity today increased the reward to $15,000 for information leading to a conviction in the illegal killing of a bald eagle in northern Alabama. The mature American bald eagle was found with several shotgun pellets lodged in the carcass, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Service has offered a $2,500 reward, and the Center is boosting the amount by $12,500.

“This majestic bird didn’t deserve a heartbreaking death, and whoever killed them must be brought to justice,” said Will Harlan, a senior scientist at the Center. “This cowardly act against America’s national bird can’t go unpunished. I hope someone steps forward with information.”

The bird’s carcass was found Dec. 8 near Mount Hope, about 50 miles southwest of Huntsville. The Service and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are leading a joint investigation into the killing.

Bald eagles are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Violations of these acts carry maximum criminal penalties of up to $250,000 in fines and two years in federal prison.

Bald eagles are found throughout Alabama, especially along rivers, coasts and lakes. More than 100 nests have been observed in recent surveys by the state.

Anyone with information about the killings should contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Brad Rabalais at (601) 331-0292 or the Alabama Game Watch Hotline at (800) 272-4263.