SALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Game Commission Southwestern Region is seeking information after a young bald eagle was illegally shot and killed in Westmoreland County.
Wardens were called to the Westmoreland Heritage Trail near Beaver Run Reservoir in Salem Township on Aug. 25 for reports of an injured juvenile bald eagle lying in the woods near the trail. Game wardens shared this information on Monday.
Responding wardens were able to pick the bird up, but said it tragically died from its injuries before it could be taken to a rehabilitator.
A necropsy of the eagle revealed a pellet shot from an air rifle was lodged in the bird’s wing for more than a week, and the wound became infected.
According to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, it is against federal law to “pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, molest or disturb” a bald eagle. Anyone who violates the act is subject to a fine of $100,000, a year in prison, or both for a first offense. A second violation is a felony.
Anyone with information on the situation leading to the eagle’s death is asked to call the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Central Dispatch at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001. Tips can be left online here.
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