As the investigation into the killing of a bald eagle in Vermilion Parish last December continues, the reward for information leading to a conviction is now up to $20,000. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Corporal Stuart Guillory says while tips have come in since the December 5th incident, investigators need additional information.
“We reached back out to some of our donors, and they were willing to put up some more money towards that reward; they’re pretty serious about us figuring out who shot this,” Guillory explained.
The biggest chunk of that $20,000 reward money comes from the Center of Biological Diversity, which is offering $13,000. Corporal Guillory says others have chipped in.
“The Humane World of Animals, they put up originally $2,500 and they’ve put up another $1,000; so on this one, they were up to $3,500,” Guillory noted.
The rest of the reward money consists of $2,500 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and $1,000 from Louisiana Operation Game Thief. Guillory says investigators believe that the bald eagle was deliberately shot.
“Could they have been hunting? There’s always a possibility of that. But as far as a mistake in identity, no; I’m going to say it was an intentional act,” Guillory stated.
Killing a bald eagle is a federal crime, and those who kill bald eagles face one year in jail, a $5,000 fine plus $5,000 in restitution.