DWR seeking information about a bald eagle illegally shot in Summit County

This juvenile bald eagle was illegally shot in Summit County last month. Photo: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

OGDEN, Utah. — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers are seeking information about a bald eagle that was shot and injured in Summit County last month.

DWR conservation officers received a report of an injured juvenile bald eagle near Henefer in Summit County on April 2nd. A Utah State Parks ranger and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper located and captured the injured bird near the Weber River, west of I-84, along the frontage road. It was then transported to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that the bald eagle had been shot by a small-caliber firearm. The bullet entered the right side of the bird, breaking one of its wings, and the bullet was lodged in the bird’s neck. The bird underwent surgery on April 9 to remove the bullet and is doing well in recovery at the center.

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We see this far too often and yet we still just shake our heads in disbelief every time. 😫

Posted by Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah on Monday, April 5, 2021

Officers estimate the shooting occurred two weeks before the bird was found and reported.

While bald eagles are no longer an endangered species, they are still protected by federal laws. Bald and golden eagles, along with their feathers and parts, nests, nest trees, and roosts, are all federally protected.

Anyone with information regarding the illegal shooting of this eagle, or any other wildlife-related crimes in Utah, is encouraged to report it to DWR conservation officers in one of the following ways:

By calling the UTiP hotline at 800-662-3337
The UTDWR Law Enforcement app
By texting 847411
Online through the DWR website: Report a poacher

If you have information about this specific case, you can also contact DWR Officer Jeremy Wilcox at 385-288-2112. Rewards are available, and requests for confidentiality are respected.

Every year, Utah conservation officers conduct investigations into the illegal killing of wildlife. In 2020, officers confirmed over 1,000 illegally killed animals valued at over $379,000.