Columbus Police Department has reported a dead bald eagle found in the city to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Assistant Police Chief Fred Shelton said a citizen reported finding the eagle on the 1500 block of Fourth Avenue North at about 9:30 a.m. Monday and brought it to police headquarters. He said the eagle appeared to have been shot with a small caliber round.
Killing a bald eagle is a federal offense, and as such, Shelton said, CPD has turned the case over to Wildlife and Fisheries. From there, the case will most likely go to a federal game warden.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Violating the act is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 for individuals — $200,000 for organizations — and one year in prison for a first offense. Subsequent violations draw stiffer penalties, and a second violation is a felony.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates in its most recent population figures close to 9,800 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. In 2006, the last time FWS recorded a bald eagle census in Mississippi, there were 31 nesting pairs in the state.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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