We in the Chattanooga area may not often see a bald eagle majestically soaring over the Tennessee River, looking for fish for a meal. But some lucky bird watchers do.
Unfortunately, so do some irresponsible people. There have been two recent reports in our general area of eagles that were killed illegally.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have announced rewards of $8,500 per eagle for information leading to convictions in connection with the shootings.
The bald eagle, our national bird, is not plentiful in this area, but a few do live in the region. They build nests in isolated areas to hatch their eggs and raise their eaglets.
We should treasure their presence - and cooperate in efforts to protect them as a highly valued part of our natural heritage.