SALINA, Kan. — Two bald eagles were shot down and killed in Kansas and now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward to find the shooters.
The first eagle was found dead Monday in a ditch near Hays, Kan., west of Salina on I-70 and the other was found Tuesday near Independence, Kan., about three hours southeast of Kansas City.
Although the bald eagle is no longer considered an endangered species, Kenny Kessler from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it’s still against the law to kill them, punishable by up to two years in jail and a $250,000 fine. Kessler says it’s likely the shooter enjoys breaking the law and asks people to provide tips to bring the person or people to justice.
“This may have been a crime of opportunity,” Kessler said. “Someone just driving around, saw something and decided they wanted to shoot it.”
A tip leading to the arrest of the shooter may result in a $1,000 reward, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.