A generous supporter of The Humane Society of the United States has donated an additional $2,500 to increase the reward offer for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting of a bald eagle found in Hamilton County. This donation brings the total reward offered by The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust to $7,500. This is in addition to a $2,500 reward offered by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, which continues to investigate the case with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
On March 9, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers discovered a bald eagle in the Lost Lake Subdivision area of Hamilton County. Investigators believe the eagle was shot sometime between March 1 and March 9.
Bald eagles are protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Penalties for violation of these laws include civil penalties, criminal penalties and/or prison.
“This senseless shooting and the blatant disregard for the survival of our national icon is appalling,” said Eric Swafford, Tennessee state director for HSUS. “We are grateful to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for their diligent efforts to bring the offender to justice and to our generous supporter who has enabled us to increase the reward offer to $7,500.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agent at 615-736-5532, ext. 103, or the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at 931-787-0859.
HSUS and the Trust work with state and federal wildlife agencies to offer rewards of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspected poachers. Other services include assistance with internet wildlife trafficking investigations, donation of robotic decoys and forensic equipment, funds to support wildlife K-9 programs, outreach to prosecutors to encourage vigorous prosecution of poachers and legislative work to strengthen penalties for poaching.