U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and AGFC investigating bald eagle death

MONTICELLO — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are conducting a joint investigation into the death of a mature bald eagle found in Drew County March 28.

The dead eagle was found near Tennessee Spur Road, west of Monticello and transferred to the Little Rock Zoo, where veterinary staff determined the preliminary cause of death as a gunshot wound. The female eagle’s body was found near a nest, and it is believed that the bird was tending the nest at the time of death. 

A reward of up to $6,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information involved in this case is encouraged to contact the AGFC’s Stop Poaching Hotline at 800-482-9262. All calls to the hotline will be kept confidential.