Reward offered in fatal McLean County shooting of bald eagle

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) - Authorities are offering a $1,000 reward for help finding the person who fatally shot a bald eagle.

The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reports (https://t.co/jwQZfdfTPi ) Illinois Conservation Police responded March 14 to a report in rural McLean County about an injured bald eagle in a farm field.

The federally protected bird was taken to the Illinois Raptor Center in Decatur but later died of its injuries.

Authorities said the female had a brood patch - a featherless area to warm eggs in a nest. Eagles usually lay two to three eggs at a time. They will not hatch without being tended.

Crime Stoppers of McLean County is offering $1,000 leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible.

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Online:

Crime Stoppers: https://www.mccrimestoppers.com/

Illinois Raptor Center: https://illinoisraptorcenter.org/