A bald eagle in Missouri is recovering from injuries inflicted by a gunshot, highlighting an alarming trend of shooting incidents involving America's national bird. The male eagle, found on July 11 with a split beak, injured wing, and lead poisoning, has undergone three surgeries at the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park. Executive Director Roger Holloway reported that while several injuries are healing well, the bird, identified as No. 24-390, faces a long road to recovery, potentially requiring up to a year of care.
No. 24-390 is among six raptors treated for gunshot wounds at the sanctuary this summer. Holloway has observed an increase in shooting injuries, which he attributes to "ignorance and boredom," stressing that many people don't understand the serious legal repercussions. Despite a history of near extinction and subsequent federal protections, including the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940, shootings of these majestic birds, considered sacred by Native Americans, have been trending upward.
Experts like Janet Haslerig, avian ecologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, are troubled by these incidents. She noted an increase in the bald eagle population in Missouri, from 123 nests eighteen years ago to 609 today, yet shootings remain a critical concern. In a recent case, a man in Washington state pleaded guilty to shooting eagles and trafficking their feathers. Holloway pointed out that these actions often stem from sheer recklessness, stating, "This is just indiscriminate shooting from irresponsible individuals."
story continues below
Word count: 246 (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
