Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents are seeking the public’s help after finding a federally protected decapitated bald eagle in a drainage ditch in Franklin Parish on April 3.
Anyone providing information leading to the arrest or conviction of the guilty party is eligible for up to $2,000 in cash rewards. LDWF and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are both offering $1,000 to help solve this case.
“To see any protected animal decapitated in a ditch is disheartening enough, let alone the animal that represents our symbol of freedom,” said Capt. Alan Bankston, LDWF’s Regional Captain for the Monroe area. “However, to find out what happened to this eagle, we really need help from the public. We are urging the public to offer up any information they might hear so we can hold someone accountable for this brutal crime.”
Anyone with information may call the LDWF Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-442-2511. Callers may remain anonymous.
Agents believe the eagle had been dead for a couple of days before being found. LDWF agents recovered the eagle and are currently scheduling a necropsy to determine a cause of death.
The eagle is protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. For each violation of these acts, a $5,000 fine and up to 18 months in jail may be imposed if convicted.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at aeinck@wlf.la.gov or 225-765-2465.
