PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Audubon is offering a $1,000 reward for information related to two recent bald eagle shootings in the greater Portland area. The information must lead to an arrest or criminal conviction in either case.
On April 5, an adult bald eagle was shot and killed at Portland International Raceway. On April 28, another adult bald eagle was shot and wounded in West Linn. The eagle is recovering at Portland Audubon, which is offering a $1,000 reward.
The crimes reflect an unsettling trend of poaching events that involve raptors like eagles, hawks and owls. This is the second raptor-related reward offered in as many months. In March of this year, Portland Audubon offered a reward of $1,000 for information related to a pair of great horned owls shot together near the town of Helix.
Portland Audubon receives as many as 200 injured or orphaned raptors annually. Too many carry the pellets of shots fired years ago.
“It is outrageous that people continue to illegally shoot these amazing birds of prey,” says Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director for Portland Audubon. “We spent decades recovering bald eagle populations from the brink of extinction and anybody who shoots them needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. It is amazing thing that we have the opportunity to see these beautiful birds in our communities and it is incredibly sad that anybody would go out and intentionally harm them.”
Raptors can be a farmer’s best friend. Owls in particular, which raise young year-round in some places, will consume about 50 mice or voles per night to feed six owlets, according to ODFW North Willamette Watershed District Biologist Kurt License.
“A benefit of raptors is that they take care of a tremendous number of rodents,” Licence said. “They are an
