Game Wardens Offer $1,000 For Details On Bald Eagle Shooting

WATERFORD, Maine - Maine is offering up to $1,000 for information on a bald eagle that died after being found shot with six shotgun pellets lodged in its jaw, wing, and leg.Game Warden Corporal John MacDonald said Monday the state's warden service responded Dec. 26 to a report of a bald eagle acting abnormally on Papoose Pond in Waterford, located about 59 miles from Maine's capital, Augusta. MacDonald said the eagle could only fly short distances, but avoided a warden's attempt to capture it.
 
MacDonald said the eagle was "very weak and less mobile'' when found again days later. Wardens say X-rays revealed six shotgun pellets inside the eagle, which was reported dead Dec. 30.
 
MacDonald says Maine has 734 nesting pairs of eagles, up from 21 pairs in 1967.