Manitoba Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources advises conservation officers have laid charges in the shooting of a bald eagle, after receiving a tip from a member of the public.
On Dec. 8, a caller to the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline reported a bald eagle had been shot and wounded near Grunthal. A conservation officer and volunteers from Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre responded and located the injured eagle. It was moved to the animal rescue centre with a broken wing and a bullet lodged in its chest. Despite efforts from the team at the rescue centre, the eagle died from its injuries.
The conservation officer investigated the incident and was able to locate and interview the individual.
The accused is an adult male from the Rural Municipality of Hanover who has been charged under the Wildlife Act for hunting on private land without permission and for killing or attempting to kill a protected species. Fines for these offences totalled $1,158. The individual’s high-calibre rifle was also seized.
Manitoba conservation officers would like to thank the concerned citizen who called the TIP hotline as well as the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre for its efforts to care for the injured bald eagle.
The department works with communities to offer eagle feathers for ceremonial purposes.
All eagles are a protected species under the Wildlife Act, and as a protected species, there are no hunting seasons for eagles.
More information about bald eagles in the province is available at the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Manitoba at Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas – Atlas des oiseaux nicheurs du Manitoba
Anyone with information on illegal hunting activities is encouraged to contact a local conservation office or the TIP hotline at 1-800-782-0076.
