Bald eagles poisoned, one dead

State and U.S. wildlife officials offering $4,500 reward for information leading to conviction of whoever poisoned two bald eagles in Sussex County.

Delaware environmental officials are trying to figure out who poisoned a pair of bald eagles in Sussex County in October.

The birds were found in a farm field near Lincoln on October 21.  One of them was dead, the other was taken to Newark’s Tri-State Bird Rescue for treatment.  The second bird was released back into the wild last week.

Delaware Wildlife Enforcement agents along with special agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working together to find out how the birds were poisoned.  Combined, they’re offering a $4,500 reward for information leading to a conviction in the case.

Under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the maximum penalty for killing an eagle includes a $100,000 fine and up to one year in prison.  Bald eagles have been making a comeback in recent years.  In 2007, the birds were removed from protection under the Endangered Species Act.