A reward of $20,000 is being offered for information that leads to a conviction in the shooting death of a bald eagle in Louisiana. The bald eagle, a symbol of the United States and a federally protected species, was discovered on December 5, 2025, near the intersection of Robert and Wilmer roads in Vermilion Parish.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are jointly investigating the incident. LDWF personnel located and captured the injured bird, transporting it for examination. Despite efforts, the eagle succumbed to its injuries shortly after discovery and was sent for a necropsy, which confirmed a fatal gunshot wound.
The collective reward includes contributions from several organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation. The Center for Biological Diversity offered $13,000, Humane Society for Animals contributed $3,500, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added $2,500, and Louisiana Operation Game Thief pledged up to $1,000.
The killing of a bald eagle is a violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Convictions can result in fines of up to $5,000, a year in jail, and civil restitution fees of up to $5,000.
Bald eagles, known for their distinctive white heads and impressive wingspans, were once a species of concern due to factors like pesticide use and habitat loss. By 1963, their nesting pairs in the lower 48 states had dwindled to just 417. Conservation efforts have since aided in their population recovery.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511. Tips can also be submitted via LDWF’s tip411 program by texting LADWF followed by the tip to 847411, or through the free LADWF Tips mobile application.