Reward set in gunshot death of eagle

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A golden eagle found shot to death in northwestern New Mexico died from a gunshot, federal authorities said Tuesday while announcing a reward in the case.

The female eagle was 2-years-old and had been monitored with a satellite tracking device since shortly after its birth in western Rio Arriba County.

Since then it had moved between that area and nearby places in southern Colorado.

Its carcass was found May 17 in open rangeland about eight miles southeast of Dulce, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The location is outside the Jicarilla Apache Nation.

The agency has announced a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty person or persons.  Tips can be called in to the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement at (505) 248-7889.

Under federal law killing a bald or golden eagle can be punished by up to a year in jail and a $100,000 fine.

Also under investigation is the killing of an adult male golden eagle found dead in February west of Las Cruces.

That bird, too, had been shot.