Authorities investigate eagle shootings. (WV)

[Donna]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Authorities are asking the public for help in catching those responsible for the deaths of four West Virginia bald eagles that were shot.

One eagle was found wounded in January near Parsons in Tucker County and was euthanized after a rehabilitation attempt failed. Media reports say another eagle was found dead in January near Fisher in Hardy County, while the third eagle was found dead in March near Hopeville in Grant County.

A fourth eagle was found wounded in April near Marlinton in Pocahontas County and later died.

"A high-powered rifle bullet grazed the back of its head and tore out the muscles needed for it to eat," said Wendy Perrone, director of Three Rivers Avian Center at Brooks. "As far as treatment went, we kind of threw the kitchen sink at it, but the eagle was so far gone, we couldn't turn things around."

A fifth bald eagle was found shot to death last November in the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area near Hinton. Three Rivers Avian Center is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest in that case.

"I think that shows the extent of public outrage over the shooting of eagles," Perrone said.

Although bald eagles are no longer an endangered species, they are protected by state and federal law.

Anyone with information about the shootings can contact state Division of Natural Resources Lt. Tom Stuckey at 304-822-3551, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Bryce Findley at 304-636-6586, ext. 14.

Convictions could result in as much as a year in jail and a fine of $100,000 under federal law and up to $5,000 in fines and a year in jail under state law.

[MAK]

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