Officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating the shooting of two bald eagles in the Tennessee River Valley.
The first injured bird was reported on Monday at 2 p.m. in Meigs County off State Route 68 near State Route 58, according to a news release.
It was determined the eagle had been shot with size 8 to 11 shotgun pellets up to a week prior to the report.
The second bird was found Wednesday afternoon on the side of Abby Lane north of Highway 60 in Rhea County.
Both eagles were transported to the Avian and Exotics service at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center, but the injuries were too severe and both were euthanized.
Tennessee has 200 active bald eagle nests, and because the birds are biparental, losing one likely means the failure of a nest.
“We are especially angered by these actions because it is nesting season,” wrote Wildlife Sgt. Chris Combs in a news release. “This is our national symbol, and it’s an atrocity to see them senselessly shot.”
Despite having their endangered status removed in 2007, bald eagles are still protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Violations of those statutes carry a maximum criminal penalty of up to $100,000 and/or one year in federal prison, according to the release. State charges will also apply.
Anyone with information regarding these shootings is asked to contact the TWRA, Region III office at 931-484-9571 or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 615-736-5532.