NEW ORLEANS— The Center for Biological Diversity today increased the total reward to $20,000 for information leading to a conviction for the illegal killing of a bald eagle in southern Louisiana. The Center is boosting the amount by $13,000, which, together with contributions from Humane World for Animals, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, brings the total reward up to $20,000.

“Bald eagles are American icons and soaring symbols of successful conservation, and killing them is despicable and illegal,” said Lindsay Reeves, a Louisiana-based senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We want to do everything we can to ensure the person who shot this beautiful bird is brought to justice, and we hope that anyone with information about this senseless killing will come forward.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents were notified about an injured bald eagle in Vermilion Parish near Erath on Dec. 5, 2025. The injured eagle was found at the intersection of Robert Road and Wilmer Road in a rural area near Lake Peigneur.

Agency personnel located the injured bald eagle and brought the animal in for an examination. The examination determined that the eagle had suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The bird succumbed to the injury shortly after discovery.

Bald eagles are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Violations of these acts carry maximum criminal penalties of up to a $250,000 fine and two years in federal prison.

Louisiana has seen bald eagles make a remarkable comeback. In 1970 only five breeding pairs were observed. Today more than 350 pairs of bald eagles live year-round in Louisiana, but the birds remain a State Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Threats to the birds include habitat loss from saltwater intrusion, fishing line entanglement and poisoning from ingesting lead ammunition.

Louisiana is also a vital winter nesting home for bald eagles with around 2,900 pairs arriving in September and staying until spring. Louisiana is second only to Florida in total bald eagle nests. Most nesting occurs in coastal parishes like Vermilion where this bald eagle killing occurred.

Anyone with information regarding the illegal killing of this bald eagle should call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1 (800) 442-2511 or use LDWF's tip411 program. To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411, or download the free "LADWF Tips" iPhone and Android app. The hotline and the tip411 program are monitored 24 hours a day. Upon request, the person supplying the information can remain anonymous.

In addition to the Center’s contribution, the reward consists of $3,500 from the Humane World for Animals, $2,500 from the Service, and up to $1,000 from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Background

Bald eagles are the only eagles unique to North America, and Congress chose them as the nation's symbol in 1782.

Bald eagles have a wingspan of 7 feet and can live more than 30 years in the wild. They feed mostly on fish, and they develop their iconic white head around age 4. Adults mate for life and raise their young together.

The bald eagle was one of the first species protected under the1967 precursor to today's Endangered Species Act. As a result of habitat protection, the federal government’s banning of DDT and national conservation efforts, the bald eagle was delisted under the Act in 2007. The bald eagle's comeback is a testament to the power and success of the Endangered Species Act.