(Scott County, IA) -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking for the public's help in identifying those responsible for shooting a bald eagle in Scott County, near the Mississippi River.
DNR Conservation Officer Nick Rocca says they were called out on February 11th, to the Bettendorf/Riverdale area near the Mississippi River. He says they were told there were two injured eagles on the ground, but when they arrived they saw one healthy eagle trying to protect another eagle that was injured, by draping its wing over the injured bird. Rocca says as they approached, the healthy eagle flew away and perched on a tree. He says the healthy eagle kept vigil the entire time, watching the officers capture the injured bird and carefully place it in a kennel. The eagle was taken to a licensed raptor rehabilitation facility. It died the next day. X-rays confirmed the eagle had been shot.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Conservation Officer Nick Rocca at (563)349-9418.
Those convicted of shooting and killing a bald eagle can face thousands of dollars in fines or a year in prison.