Police from Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources say two bald eagles were shot in separate incidents in Montgomery County on Dec 25, WUSA-9 reports out of Washington.
Eagle #1 was found dead in a field that adjoins Georgia Avenue and Bordley Road in Brookville, Md. It appeared the eagle was feeding on a deer carcass at the time of the shooting.
Eagle #2 was found wounded near a residence on Deakins Lane in Darnestown, Md., and x rays revealed bird pellets (bird shot) in the animal. The eagle later died from its injuries.
The bald eagle was removed from the national Endangered Species List in 2007 and from Maryland’s list in 2010, but shooting bald eagles still requires a special permit from the US Department of the Interior. Shooting a bald eagle in the US without such a permit carries a maximum fine of $5,000 plus one year in prison.
Police are still looking for clues and ask for the public’s help. Call them at (410) 260-8888 if you know anything about these two incidents.