KEY POINTS

  • A bald eagle was shot and killed in Lawrence County on Saturday
  • The raptor was alive when it was found, but later died from the gunshot wound
  • A $200 reward was posted for any information that will lead to the arrest of the shooter

Conservation officials from Indiana are asking the help of the public for any leads on whoever shot and killed a bald eagle in Lawrence County over the weekend.

The raptor was found south of the White River near Dixie Highway with a gunshot wound, said CNN, citing a Facebook post by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement.

Officer Ryan Jahn is investigating the shooting of the bald eagle, according to RTV6.

The eagle was alive when it was discovered by officials, but later died from the gunshot wound, it added.

The agency is encouraging the public to contact the Indiana Conservation Officers' Dispatch or the Turn In a Poacher (TIP) for any information that will lead to the arrest of the shooter.

A standard $200 reward will be given to those who can provide valuable information, added CNN.

Despite being removed from the endangered animal lists in 2007, the eagle is still under the protection of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Those who are caught killing a bald eagle can face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

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