Bald eagle found killed by gunfire in northwest Georgia

CEDARTOWN, Ga. (AP) – State and federal authorities are investigating after a bald eagle was found fatally shot in northwest Georgia.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Monday the protected eagle was killed last week in Polk County, located on the Georgia-Alabama state line about 50 miles northwest of Atlanta.

The federal agency said it’s investigating the killing along with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Though bald eagles were removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened species in 2007, they remain protected by other federal laws. Killing or harming the birds is punishable by one year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

Last year, bald eagle nest surveys in Georgia counted 166 nests spread across 62 counties.