FALLON - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the deaths of four golden eagles, a male and three eaglets, found in the Lahontan Valley.
Dan Crum, resident agent for the service's Northern California and Nevada district, said this week that the eagles were found by some trees between Fallon and Lahontan Reservoir during Christmas weekend. A preliminary investigation indicated the eagles had been shot, and the carcasses were "still rather fresh" when discovered.
"This is not a normal occurrence," Crum said.
Crum said the FWS is following up on leads, but the remoteness of the area doesn't lend itself to many clues.
"This poaching case in the middle of nowhere provided little evidence," Crum said.
Through public outreach, he hopes someone may be able to provide information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.
Shooting an eagle is a violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act as well as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Penalties for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act can include up to two years jail and $250,000 fine. Penalties for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act include up to six months jail and $15,000 fine per bird.
According to FWS, golden eagles are frequent visitors to the Carson and Lahontan valleys this time of year and can often be seen near rivers, ponds, lakes and agricultural fields. Their preferred prey is small mammals like rabbits, squirrels, mice and sometimes small birds. Golden eagles are most often seen scavenging animal carcasses, especially during winter when their normal prey is not readily available.聻
