(Rick and Nora Bowers/VIREO)

Indiana Conservation and Federal Fish and Wildlife officers are investigating the death of a bald eagle found in Dubois county, and at the same time attempting to locate the nest which may potentially be in danger.

On March 19, conservation officer Kenny Tincher responded to a report of an injured eagle in northwestern Dubois county near the Pike county line. The eagle was located among some flooded timber and transported to a federal wildlife rehabilitator.

X-rays of the eagle showed bullet fragments in its body. Efforts to rehab the bird proved challenging, as it was having difficulty keeping food down. Officials set out to transport it to the Indiana Raptor Center in Nashville, however the eagle unfortunately died en route.

Examination of the bird showed it to have a brood patch, or bare spot on its skin, consistent with where it would be pressed up against eggs to warm them when nesting. It is typical for one eagle to sit on the nest while the other hunts for food, so losing one parent can be detrimental to the protection and survival of the young.

“It strikes a nerve with people on two counts,” said conservation officer Joe Haywood. “First, it’s our national bird and what that bird symbolizes, and second, we have a single-parent nest now that probably has eaglets.”

It is unknown where the nest is located, but conservation officers are attempting to find it and monitor the remaining parent and eaglets. If the nest is found, they will watch to make sure the single parent can manage the task of hunting and providing care.

It is possible the eagle could abandon one or more chicks in an attempt to save one. If that happens, conservation officers would do their best to save the eaglets.

Officials are seeking the public’s help. Anyone who identifies a nest with a single eagle in the area or who may overhear someone talking about shooting an eagle is asked to call (812) 789-9538 or the DNR’s tip line at 1-800-TIP-IDNR.

There is a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the conviction of a person or persons responsible for shooting the eagle. Penalties for the responsible party could be up to 60 days in jail and a fine of $500 to $1,000, depending on whether the case is sent to state or federal court.

Source: Dubois County Herald