Since 1782, the bald eagle has been a symbol of the United States, standing for strength, courage, and freedom.
Today the bald eagle is featured on many official U.S. documents and items like passports, quarters and dollar bills. It’s recognizable for its brown body and wings, white head and tail, and hooked yellow beak and yellow feet.
Because of this bird’s pronounced features and unmistakable image, it is hard to believe an American citizen could not immediately recognize such an ingrained symbol of the nation.
Which why foul play is suspected in the case of an eagle brought to the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia (ACCA) on New Year’s Day with wounds indicating it had been shot.
The adult bald eagle was shot in the Harman area of Randolph County and was recovered by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR) Police on the evening of New Year’s Eve.
After being triaged by veterinarians in Elkins, the eagle was transported to the ACCA on New Year’s Day — becoming their first rehabilitation admission of 2023.
ACCA veterinarian Dr. Jesse Fallon said the eagle has probably been down for a week or more due to how underweight it is.
“We suspect it is a female based on body size, but we aren’t certain at this point,” Fallon said. “We will have a better idea once the bird regains the weight she lost.”
X-rays showed metal fragments in the eagle’s injured wing, indicating that the bird had been shot and the bird “had severe soft tissue and orthopedic trauma in the bony fragments on that wing,” Fallon said. The vet ultimately had to amputate part of the eagle’s wing below what would be considered its wrist.
“There was no saving it,” he said. “The wound was pretty extensive.”
Fallon said they are treating the eagle for infection, emaciation and pain, and even if it survives, it won’t be able to return to the wild.
Despite the extensive injuries, “the bird is responding to treatment, pain medication, antibiotics, it’s eating and gaining weight,” he said. “But it is an unfortunate way to start the season.”
Eagles are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and also the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, making shooting one a federal crime.
Law enforcement with the West Virginia DNR is investigating the shooting and anyone who has information is encouraged to call them at 304-637-0245 and ask for law enforcement.
Reports of natural resource crimes like this can also be made anonymously by filling out a form on the WVDNR website, wvdnr.gov.
There are several ways to donate toward the care of the eagle and other birds being rehabilitated at ACCA, who said they are “saddened that someone in our state would intentionally harm a bald eagle.” Donation options can be found by visiting their website, accawv.org, and clicking the donate tab or calling 304-906-5438.
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