The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating two more bald eagle deaths in Arkansas.
The latest discovery of dead eagles happened in Logan County, just south of Booneville. The death of another bald eagle that was found shot near Highland in Pike County earlier in February is still under investigation.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says the two eagles in Logan County were found near the Golden City Church in early December and have been undergoing necropsies for the cause of death. Tests revealed that the two birds died of poisoning.
State and federal officials are asking for help in solving both cases. The AGFC is offering $1,000 and the USFWS is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing the Logan County eagles. The identities of persons who provide information will be kept confidential.
Bald eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, both federal wildlife statutes.
Bald eagles historically occurred throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. It typically takes four or five years for bald eagles to mature, but many do not start breeding until they are much older. They may live 15 to 25 years in the wild. Bald eagles are large raptors with typical wingspans of about six to eight feet. Mature eagles have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak.
A pair of bald eagles typically mates for life and builds a huge nest in the tops of trees near rivers, lakes and marshes. Nests are often reused each year, and with the additions to the nests made annually, nests are often four to six feet wide and may weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
Anyone with information concerning the shooting of the eagle is asked to call the Stop Poaching Hotline at 800-482-9262.
