GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is asking for help finding the person who shot and killed an American bald eagle.
A Green Cove Springs homeowner spotted the bald eagle Saturday with a gunshot wound to its back. It was rushed to a local bird rescue, where it later died.
The bald eagle was brought to BEAKS bird sanctuary, where it's been a busy week for personnel. It's helping a bald eagle that was hit by a car Friday on Butler Boulevard near Belfort. That eagle is expected to survive.
In addition, nearly a dozen more protected birds, including herring gulls and an osprey were brought in with wounds from pellet guns.
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While officials are certain where those birds came from, FWC official Karen Parker said they are still trying to find out where exactly the bald eagle originally lived.
"Some folks my officers spoke to this (Saturday) afternoon said they saw the bird, the injured bird. Apparently there are a lot of eagles where they live, but they never heard any gunshots," said Parker. "So we don't know if the bird was injured previously and flew into the area or what happened. We're still trying to figure out exactly where this eagle was hurt."
The person who shot the bald eagle could face a fine of up to $5,000 and up to one year in prison.
Anyone with information is asked to call Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at 888-404-3922.