Unlawful death of bald eagle found with believed pellet in wing along Western Pa. trail under investigation
SALEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking information related to the unlawful death of a bald eagle in Westmoreland County.
Authorities on Facebook said the juvenile bald eagle was found along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, near Beaver Run Reservoir, in Salem Township, Westmoreland County.
According to the post, the state game warden was called to the area on Aug. 25 following a report of an injured eagle lying in the woods along the trail.
Officials said the eagle was picked up but later succumbed to its injuries before being transferred to a rehabilitator.
While performing a necropsy of the eagle, the warden found what appeared to be a pellet from an air rifle lodged in its wing. The post said that due to the “advanced infection of the wound, the eagle was likely shot more than a week prior” to being found.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Central Dispatch at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001. You can also report information online at .
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