Still Illegal to Shoot a Bald Eagle

Never a good idea to shoot a nation's mascot/symbol, folks. Don't go to, say, Australia and kill a koala bear or kangaroo. As logic would then follow, no harm should come to bald eagles within the United States. That means someone on Bainbridge Island is in big trouble after critically injuring a female bald eagle. Local police and State Fish and Wildlife officials are searching for the shooter, who could face jail time and a $10,000 fine.

The incident occurred on the south end of Bainbridge near Blakely Harbor, in a densely wooded area. The eagle was shot in the "leg area" and had several injuries around the throat. Workers at the wildlife shelter where the eagle is being treated believe she is facing an uphill battle. The bird is refusing to eat and, if she does not improve, she may have to be euthanized.

While many people assume that the penalties for shooting a bald eagle have to do with environmental regulations, the species was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007. In fact, the fines and crime the Bainbridge eagle shooter is facing stem from the Bald Eagle Protection Act, which was created in 1940. The act protects the bald eagle for its social and national significance in U.S. culture. Further ratifications to the act increased penalties for offenders and created rewards for those who provide information leading to arrests in cases of eagle harming. There are exceptions to the rule—most notably the use of eagle feathers in Native American ceremonies—but local authorities believe the root of this attack is more nefarious.

"Bald Eagle" courtesy of Seattlest Flickr Contributor Jeff Blucher