Officials investigating death of Bald Eagle

By Bruce Wallace
Friday, February 5, 2010 9:13 AM CST

The Missouri Department of Conservation is looking for help from Southern Boone residents who might have seen someone who travels the Loy Martin Road area and may have seen some suspicious activity lately.

While not offering what specific activity might have taken place, DOC District Supervisor Scott Rice shared the results last week - a dead bald eagle found on the ground just southeast of Loy Martin Road near Bobbie Garrett Road.

Rice is certain that the bald eagle was killed in flight, as he was found on the ground with his wings spread.

"An anonymous caller let us know that it looked like a bald eagle on the ground and I was in the area and took the call," Rice said. "We think this happened within the past week."

Rice said the suspicious death was the first of its kind for a bald eagle in Boone County in recent memory.

"There is a large influx of eagles this time of year as they migrate south to find food," Rice said. You can see them in trees down by the river or they will fly east of Ashland to look for food or road kill. We have a few instances where they have hit power lines, but this is definitely not that kind of case."

Rice estimated by the eagle's feathers and markings that he was at least three years old. The dead bird's wingspan was estimated at five-to-six feet.

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