Shooting Deaths of 2 Bald Eagles May Be Related

Wildlife authorities in Iowa are looking for those responsible for the recent shooting deaths of two bald eagles, the state Department of Natural Resources said in a news release.

The eagles were found around 10 miles apart in Webster County.

"People around here are outraged," said Bill Spece, state conservation officer with the Iowa DNR. "Both eagles were shot with a similar caliber firearm and left for dead so it is possible that these cases are related."

According to the news release, an immature eagle was first found two weeks ago in the Boone Forks Wildlife Area by a person hunting for shed deer antlers.

The second eagle was a mature bird found last Saturday near Lehigh, Iowa.

Iowa DNR: The [second] eagle was alive, but died shortly after being transported to a wildlife rehabilitator. It had been shot twice.

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"We don't have much to go on so we are asking for the public's help to find those responsible," Spece said in the news release.

Anyone who has information on the case can contact Turn in Poachers (TIP) website at www.iowadnr.gov/tip, call the TIP hotline at 1-800-532-2020 or call Space directly at 515-571-0127. Information can be left anonymously.

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Bald eagles are a state and federally protected species.