Information sought on death, illegal possession of bald eagle near Wishek, N.D.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department are investigating the death and illegal possession of a mature bald eagle which was located near the city of Wishek, N.D., during the 2011 Christmas holiday. A $500 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible.

Sometime between the early evening of Dec. 23, 2011, and the early afternoon of Dec. 25, 2011, a mature bald eagle was left at a private residence near Wishek while no one was home.

Bald eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and by North Dakota State law.

Anyone with information concerning the death of this eagle is asked to call District Game Warden Erik Schmidt with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at (701) 220-7160 or Special Agent Kevin Downs with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at (701) 355-8531.

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