$2,500 reward offered for identifying bald eagle shooter

KINGSTON, Tenn. (WDEF) — Someone shot a bald eagle near Watts Bar Lake, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward for the suspect’s arrest.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) said it happened in the Blue Springs Marina area near Kingston.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now offering a reward up to $2,500 if someone can provide information on the suspect. To receive the reward, the information must lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for shooting the bald eagle.

Bald eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These acts make it a federal crime to kill a bald eagle.

Anyone who violates these statutes face criminal penalties up to $100,000 and/or one year in federal prison.

The TWRA asks anyone with information on this incident call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement at 615-736-5532.

You may also call the TWRA Region 3 office at 931-484-9571.

There is an online tip form to report this information as well.