Officers seek suspect in bald eagle deaths

[BearHunter]

Officers seek suspect in bald eagle deaths


HARRISBURG, ORE. - Wildlife officers say someone has been intentionally poisoning more than a dozen bald eagles in the central Willamette Valley.
Hundreds of eagles migrate to the Willamette Valley each November to spend the winter and officers believe they are the targets of a horrendous crime.

So far, 17 eagles have been found dead near Harrisburg, including two that were found in the last month.

Officers say a banned toxic pesticide called fenthion is being applied to a sheep carcass that's used as eagle bait. The fenthion has been linked to all of the eagle deaths.

"There's no authorized uses for it (fenthion) under federal or state laws," said USFWS Enforcement Officer Christopher Brong. "The eagles are dying simply because they're carrion eaters, and eat on the carcass of the sheep, and they are dying of pesticide poisoning."

Finding the person or persons involved in this wildlife crime will greatly depend upon the public's help.

A $4,000 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

If anyone has information in this case, call the TIP Hotline (Turn In a Poacher) at 1-800-452-7888.

 

[Orygun]

Not exactly banned. up until last year you could buy the stuff for treating cows and pigs for ticks. There are no approved uses for sheep. But it was legal last year. Feds are looking in a small area of the valley.