Arizona Game and Fish is offering a $500 reward to anyone with information that will lead to an arrest in the case involving a dead bald eagle found by a hiker in the Tucson Mountains.
The eagle carcass was found on Nov. 21 by the Tucson hiker. The carcass was found inside a paper bag with rocks piled on top.
The eagle’s body was found approximately 300 yards north of the Tucson Mountain Park parking area atop Gates Pass, where it may have been killed.
The eagle’s tail and primary feathers had been removed, along with the feet. Game and Fish officials believe the eagle was dead a few days before being discovered.
The bald eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in 2007.
Killing a bald eagle is a federal offense punishable by a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Individuals with information about the case are urged to call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700, anonymously if need be, and reference OGT # 11-001867.
