URGENT: Public Assistance Requested by Georgia DNR: Bald Eagle Shot in Irwin County
By Carol A. Gasser Moore
IRWIN COUNTY, Georgia – The Lanier County News has been informed that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking for the public’s help An adult male bald eagle was shot in Irwin County on January 9th. It was found alive and severely injured on January 9th.
The Georgia DNR has asked the public’s help. They need information that leads to the arrest of those persons responsible for the shooting death of a bald eagle in Irwin County.
Quailwood Animal Hospital in Tifton treated the injured bird. The bird had been shot by someone using buckshot.
A Georgia DNR Facebook post said, “Unfortunately, the bird had to be euthanized due to overwhelming and devastating damage to the body cavity and wings.”
The public is notified of the fact that a reward is being offered for any information that leads to the arrest of the responsible individual or individuals.
Readers are reminded that both the Bald Eagle is protected by The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d), enacted in 1940, and amended several times since, prohibits anyone, without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior, from “taking” a bald or golden eagles, including their parts (including feathers), nests, or eggs or shooting them.
As the Lanier County News has learned, anyone who is found in violation of the act could be sentenced to a $100,000 fine and a year in prison for the first offense.
Persons with credible helpful information are asked to call the Georgia DNR Game Warden Hotline at (800) 241-4113. They may also call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwest Regional Office at (404) 679-4000.
